Perfect Us In Love

Words: Charles Wesley, 18th century
Music: Taylor Burton-Edwards, 2016

Perfect Us in Love combines stanzas from two Charles Wesley texts ("Jesus, United by Thy Grace," and "Try Us, O God"), both of which address the same theme of perfection in love. The United Methodist baptismal covenant charges congregations to care for the newly baptized and newly received professing members in the words of the first verse of this hymn, "Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love." This extended meditation on perfection in love fits especially well on the day when the gospel lesson calls us to love both neighbor and enemy, and to "be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5: 43-48).

The tune is an original composition by Taylor Burton-Edwards. The refrain places the theme of perfection in love as a repeated prayer on the lips of the congregation.

Perfect Us In Love [Sibelius]

Perfect Us In Love [PDF]