With daring we enter the future that beckons – a hymn for new beginnings (Matthew 28: 16-20)
With daring we enter the future that beckons, our feelings in tension - excitement and fear. Wherever we're walking we know God walks with us, before and behind, God's protection is near.
Alone in the desert God's people felt empty, the land that was promised of honey and milk seemed distant, reality made hope distorted, clothed them with despairing, more sackcloth than silk.
And sometimes the way that we find in the present has troubles and heartaches enough of its own; but still God walks with us through valleys of darkness, encompassed with loving, we're never alone.
So welcome the future and enter it boldly, look back, God was with you wherever you trod. This God is your lover through life and forever, take hold of the certainty: this is your God.
A spark exists within us all - Richard Rolle wrote of the fire of love - this hymn reflects that theme but also alludes to John Wesley’s experience of a strangely warmed heart on the 24th May 1738.
1 A spark exists within us all that, fanned, will form a flame of love; so let cold embers warm and glow then, flickering, dancing, leap above.
2 This sign of pre-existent power, the ground of all enlightenment, the blaze of which we share a part is love that shimmers heaven bent.
3 So let that universal flame, that fire which cannot be confined, ignite a spirit in the world transcending bounds of space and time.
4 Then all the earth consumed by love; awakened, warmed, and fused as one, will know a single sense of joy as all rejoice beneath the sun. Amen!
Pentecost signalled a time for a new start? A time of change for the disciples. For us? – a hymn ‘Is this a void, or just a time of challenge?’
Is this a void, or just a time of challenge, a new found joy, beginning or an end? Yet God has travelled with us on this journey along with each acquaintance, neighbour, friend.
And will God leave us as we travel onward, abandon us to all the future holds? But God, is here, behind us and before us, as every chance is greeted and unfolds.
So God, we offer thanks for every blessing, for times of care and gifting, now long past, and hand in hand we seek a common purpose, assured that love and grace are sure to last.
Jesus’ steadfast loving kindness – a hymn for Jackie – died 29th April 2026
This hymn will be sung for the first time at her funeral at Comberbach Methodist Church, Northwich on 14th May 2026.
Jesus’ steadfast loving kindness – a hymn for Jackie – died 29th April 2026
Jesus’ steadfast loving kindness warmed the hearts of those he met, we who follow at a distance emulate, do not forget. So within this present moment as we sing and praise and pray, cover us with your compassion, wipe the tears of grief away.
Help us recollect our sister, how she shared her love and care, reaching out to friend and stranger, facing down the hostile stare, how she weathered grief and sadness, not accounting worldly wealth, till her loving sapped resources draining life and strength and health.
When we leave this place of worship, trusting her into your hand, may we know in love’s resources, we can follow, strive and stand. Lead us onward, ever onward hold in mind, her love, her face, may your steadfast loving kindness, hold us, keep us in your grace.
Look beyond your life’s horizon –A hymn for Pentecost which echoesJoel 2: 28 & Acts 2: 1-21
Look beyond your life’s horizon, what will come of life on earth? God forsaken? Horror stricken? Or a hope of love’s rebirth? Look into this unknown future, ask what actions can we take, so that peace becomes an option in decisions that we make.
Placing God right at the centre, seeing Christ in those we meet, moving with a gracious Spirit, could make hopes and dreams complete; dreams passed down through generations, where in spite of faith or creed, people reach to one another, seek to meet another’s need.
Could it be within our lifetime that the riches of this earth might be shared, yes shared out freely, not by lottery of birth? Could we learn to be less selfish, letting go, not grasping wealth, till the world and all it’s peoples live in harmony and health?
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