Tune: Russian Hymn For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. This wondrous universe tells of God’s glory, Endless in space and forever in time; We are astonished when we contemplate its story We have a place in this myst’ry sublime. This planet’s destiny, life in its beauty Rests with the choices we […]
Read full textFor gay and for straight, a place at the table, hymn — Shirley Erena Murray, New Zealand
This song, entitled ‘For everyone born,’ is copyrighted, but the words soar with truth and beauty so I’m sharing them via links. For the complete lyrics click here. Hear a rendition on Youtube by the First-Plymouth Church choir in Lincoln, Nebraska USA. For everyone born, a place at the table… For gay and for straight, a […]
Read full textFaith of Metaphor and Mystery, hymn — Bronwyn Angela White, Aotearoa New Zealand
tune: Regent Square by Henry Thomas Smart A wedding version of this hymn, adapted for Bronwyn’s daughter’s marriage and suitable for same-sex partners weddings can be found on Bronwyn’s website. Faith of metaphor and mystery Christ of paradox and pun Sure foundation, revelation Many facets of the One Sacred found in the familiar: phase of […]
Read full textJohn 20, In Praise of Doubt (hymn) – George Stuart
Year C Easter 2 Reading: John 20:19-31, particularly verses 19-29. Not specifically on the reading but on the general issue of doubt Tune: Forest Green For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. In Praise of Doubt Some people say, ‘To doubt is wrong’ We should not doubt at all; To question our […]
Read full textNew Year, a hymn — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Bishopgarth For the lyrics, music and a power point click here. The New Year brings another time To practise some reflection, To contemplate priorities; What past ways need rejection; The call of Jesus comes again To strengthen our connection To his inspiring way of life, And maybe change direction. The past is gone; cannot […]
Read full textPraise & Elation, hymn — George Stuart, Australia
With praise and elation Tune: To God be the glory For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. With praise and elation we greet the Divine In beauty of love that we just can’t define; The mystery is wondrous; it captures our soul; It gives our life purpose; it makes us feel whole. Praise […]
Read full textGathering hymn — George Stuart, Australia
We gather in this place Tune Crimond For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. We gather in this place today To hear a word we need; From Jesus’ teaching we gain strength; We listen. We take heed. We come with open hearts and minds To hear a word we need; To sing […]
Read full textCome now, ordination hymn — Nathan Nettleton, Australia
Come now, O Creator Spirit, come, our hearts and souls inspire Raise up your church, baptised in water and with fire. So each may take their place, Sharing your love and grace, Sent forth, guided ever by the cross, to serve as you desire. 2.Come now, in the laying on of hands, your servants to […]
Read full textANZAC Day hymn, Remembering — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: St. Anne Click here to access free downloads of lyrics and music. In contemplation on this day Both pride and sadness grow; We laud the courage on display; Yet tears can overflow. White crosses filling endless fields Remind us of those lost; We long for respite, that which shields Us from war’s wicked cost. […]
Read full textMothering Love, a hymn — George Stuart, Australia
In Singing a New Song, volume 3, a book of hymns by George Stuart For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Tune: Hanover Remember the one who brought us to birth; So special, unique; a person of worth; Our love and our thankfulness we wish to show For she shared her body to […]
Read full textMark 9.2-9, Transfiguration hymn, Can we see Jesus? — George Stuart, Australia
Mark 9:2-9, particularly verses 2-3. ‘The message of the lyrics goes beyond the actual reading.’ – George Stuart Tune: Bunessan For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Can we see Jesus High on the mountain Brighter than sunlight Whiter than white? Yes. We see Jesus Unmasking for us God in such wonder, […]
Read full textAngels from the realms…new words for an old tune — Christine & Ted Haines, UK
Written on the occasion of an Angel Festival in Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight around this place, You who sang creations story, Bless our festival / [worship here] with grace Gloria…. In excelsis deo All who seek communication With humanity that cares, Turn your mobiles off […]
Read full textCommunion in a Time of Dread (hymn) — Jim Burklo, USA
Tune: Sursum Corda 10.10.10.10. (How Like a Gentle Spirit) (Use freely, with attribution) One truck delivers us our wine and bread Another swerves and leaves our children dead One driver sings a hymn of love and life Another chants a call to holy strife One phone is used to set a bomb alight Another used […]
Read full textSeeker of Justice, new words to ‘Fairest Lord Jesus’ – Jim Burklo, USA
Tune: “Fairest Lord Jesus” (Crusaders’ Hymn: 5.6.8.5.5.8) Seeker of justice, turner of the tables One who made sure that the poor were fed Land for the landless, home for the homeless And baskets filled with fish and bread. Friend of the friendless, lover of the enemy, Love that conventions cannot contain, Boundless compassion, put into […]
Read full textHoly, holy, holy, Love Now Ascending (hymn) — Jim Burklo, USA
Tune: Nicaea (Holy, Holy, Holy) Words by Jim Burklo (use freely with attribution) Holy, holy, holy, love now ascending Early in the morning our song shall rise to you Holy, holy, holy, joy that has no ending Giving, forgiving, breathing life anew. Holy, holy, holy, love without a limit Care that binds creation in sacred […]
Read full textWe Praise You, God of All (hymn)– Jim Burklo, USA
Tune: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, Coronation C.M. Words by Jim Burklo (use freely with attribution) We praise you, God, with rousing song, we answer at your call Your Word creates the universe, We praise you, God of all Your Word creates the universe, We praise you, God of all […]
Read full textMatthew 21:1-11, Ride on, hymn– George Stuart, Australia
Liturgy of the Palms, Year A Matthew 21:1-11 Tune: Winchester For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Ride on; ride on in majesty Yet seeking no hostility; To ride a colt is to proclaim That peace, compassion is your aim. Ride on; ride on compass’nately For victims of cruel tyranny; The poor […]
Read full textCome to the table (communion hymn) — Stephen Best, Wales UK
Tune: Assurance 9.10.9.9. Come voice your struggles, come shed your tears, Come calm your anger, come lose your fears. Here we encounter the Living One Through bread that’s broken, in wine that’s poured Refrain: Come to the table, join in the song, This is the place where all shall belong. Voices in chorus, seeking Christ’s […]
Read full textStreet Pastor Song — David Ouston, UK
Written by David while he served as Co-ordinator for the Isle of Wight Street Pastors, this song was inspired by an interaction with a young man on the streets of Ryde. This video recording might be played as an integral part of a worship service.
Read full textLove alone, hymn — Stephen Best, Wales UK
Tune: Blaenwern 1 Corinthians 13 Any words which I may utter, Without love to reach their goal, Are no more than clashing cymbals, Empty gongs without a soul. Though I conjure future visions, Understand life’s wherewithal, And have faith which moves the mountains, Without love I am not whole. Acts of charitable giving And the […]
Read full textWe find ourselves between two worlds (hymn) — Stephen Best, UK
Tune: Gonfalon Royal Originally written for Stephen’s ordination service. We find ourselves between two worlds, In one we live, for one we hope To risk their fusion is our call, Achieved through love, which welcomes all. Achieved through love, which welcomes all, Which bends and breaks and mends again, The source of all; and yet […]
Read full textFor All the Ways (hymn for Church Anniversary)– Jim Burklo, USA
Tune: “For All the Saints” Sine Nomine 10.10.10.A Words by Jim Burklo (use freely with attribution) Appropriate for Church Anniversaries For all the ways we help each other grow As we share stories, moments high and low The face of Christ among us now will show We sing allelujia, allelujia. For all the people […]
Read full textAwe fills us at the shore (hymn) — Jim Burklo, USA
(use freely with attribution) Tune: Madrid 6.6.6.6 – “Come Christians, Join to Sing” Watch mountain shadows run Allelujia! Amen! Clouds gilded by the sun Allelujia! Amen! Hear tumbling water sing Birds calling on the wing In canyons echoing Allelujia! Amen! Breathe in the desert air Allelujia! Amen! Let footsteps call to prayer Allelujia! Amen! Layers […]
Read full textWe shall go out with hope of resurrection (hymn) — June Boyce-Tillman, UK
Metre: 11.10.11.10.11.10.11.12. Tune: Londonderry is commended for this text We shall go out with hope of resurrection, We shall go out, from strength to strength go on, We shall go out and tell our stories boldly, Tales of a love that will not let us go. We’ll sing our songs of wrongs that can be […]
Read full textLuke 7.36-8.3, Jesus at Dinner, hymn — George Stuart, Australia
For 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C in the Revised Common Lectionary Tune: Hyfrydol 8787 D For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Jesus, when he went to dinner, he used every time and place To proclaim God’s love and mercy, and display forgiving grace; Jesus, when he went to dinner, used […]
Read full textJohn 7:38, She trusts, hymn — WDP
She that trusts in me from her deepest heart, Shall rivers of living water flow forth. She that trusts in me from her deepest heart, Shall rivers of life flow forth. She that trusts in me is the theme song for the World Day of Prayer worship service prepared by women of Sweden for the […]
Read full textCelebrating the Church, hymn for a Church Anniversary — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Hyfrydol For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here As we come in celebration, We now contemplate our past We delight in former friendships And the love that holds us fast; All our past is now accepted; Through its troubles we have grown; Now the future beckons to us, Knowing we are […]
Read full textBaptism hymn, In this Sacrament with Water — George Stuart, Australia
Tune: Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night) For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. Verse 1 In this sacrament with water God can be seen; In each human son and daughter God can be seen; When love streams from fathers, mothers, Gen’rously from sisters, brothers, When compassion flows from […]
Read full textJesus comes again in Love — George Stuart, Australia
The Second Coming of Christ – written for Pentecost Tune: Church Triumphant For the lyrics, music and a power point click here Our Lord, our teacher, healer, friend, The One whose love shall never end, Back years ago he lived his life When times were harsh, in days of strife. We look for signs of his […]
Read full textDoxology
Old words, familiar words, the sung doxology lives in the hearts and on the tongues of many Christians. The most familiar English version was written by the 17th-century Anglican bishop and hymnwriter, Thomas Ken. I’ve heard several modern versions which alter the language to be inclusive and relevant to modern worshippers. Here are some variations on the theme… […]
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