Return to Me
A song about the Prodigal Son

the son said, “father i must go,
i wish not to stay here you know,
the world has much I want to see,
I hope that you will not stop me.
I see riches, I see gold
I see goods that I uphold
though it hurts to see you cry
I must bid you this last goodbye”

the father looked down lovingly
saying, “if you walk away from me
i will miss you with all of my heart
but even if you do depart
i will be waiting for you here
no matter if it takes you years
you are my son until the end
and I pray i will see you again”

the son left from his father’s place
with a smile on his face
ready to be free and grow
oh but little did he know
the world of pleasures has a cost
beware your soul may be lost
if you consume these earthly things 
and forget the joy your father brings 

the father looked out lovingly				
saying, “though you walked away from me
i miss you with all of my heart
but even though you did depart
I am waiting for you here
no matter if it takes you years
you are my son until the end
And I pray I will see you again”

the son quickly consumed his wealth
lost his food and lost his health
all his friends had left his side
so now he had to decide
should he live in misery,
watching pigs roam happily,
or return to his father’s place
to serve him for the rest of his days

the father looked out lovingly,
saying “son you have returned to me,
I have waited all this time
praying for you to be mine
let us kill the fattened calf
So we can sing and dance and laugh
to celebrate my son who died
who now has been brought back to life”

Return to Me

Bible Verses

The Message of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18)

I was blind, I could not see
The righteous paths of Your grace,
But now the beauty of Your face
Praise Him and exalt Him above all

I was deaf. I could not hear
The thrilling welcome of Your voice,
But now I hear You and rejoice
Praise Him and exalt Him above all

I was dumb, I could not speak
The grace and glory of Your name,
But now as touched with living flame
Praise Him and exalt Him above all

I was dead. I could not move
My lifeless soul from sin's dark grave,
But now the power of life You gave
Praise Him and exalt Him above all

Lord, You made the blind to see,
The deaf to hear, the dumb to speak,
The dead to live, and now I say:
Praise Him and exalt Him above all

I Was Blind

Your Love Embraced (Sabani Hobek In English) (Orthodox Hymn For The Nativity Fast) (Coptic Rite)

Lyrics:
(How could I forget, the One who died for me
How could I forget His side that had to bleed) x2
(He who saw me in my misery so He came running to meet me
He who bought me and redeemed me broke my chains and set me free) x 2

(How could I forget your kindness through the years
Your right hand always reaching out to me) x 2
(In my joys and in my sorrows, in all of life's storms
You've become my friend and fortress, You are the One to whom I call) x2

(Help me Lord I want to lose myself in You
All my pride has blinded me from seeing You) x2
(So I'll keep watching and praying setting my eyes on You
Trusting in your sure promises that You will be there for me soon) x2

Sung by Erin Melek & Joseph Isaac
Oud by Joseph Isaac
Produced by Erin Melek

How Could I Forget (feat. Joseph Isaac)

The Fraction to the Son for the Feasts of Our Lord done by Fr Moussa Masoud when he was visiting St. Mark DC in 2024. The cover photo is Fr. Moussa and Fr. Elijah because it’s the transfiguration, get it? ;)

Transfiguration Fraction - Fr. Moussa Masoud

The Friday Theotokia

psalm 1

I have not much to offer You.
 Not near what You deserve,
 But still I come because Your cross
 Has placed in me my worth.
 
 O Christ, my king of sympathy
 Whose wounds secure my peace,
 Your grace extends to call me friend,
 Your mercy sets me free.
 
 And I know I’m weak,
 I know I’m unworthy
 To call upon Your name.
 But because of grace,
 Because of Your mercy,
 I stand here unashamed.
 
 I can’t explain this kind of love,
 I’m humbled and amazed
 That You’d come down from heaven’s heights
 And greet me face to face.
 
 Here I am, at Your feet,
 In my brokenness complete. 4x

And I know I’m weak,
 I know I’m unworthy
 To call upon Your name.
 But because of grace,
 Because of Your mercy,
 I stand here unashamed.

psalm 1

erika melek