Blogs

Vocation, Ordination, Being Christian after an Election

Last Sunday (30th June 2024) Methodist Presbyters and Deacons were Ordained at the Annual Methodist Conference in the UK. Those in Leeds were able to witness and share in this in person. Some of us followed the preceding service on-line. 

ALL CHRISTIANS have a vocation, a calling to follow Christ and to share God’s love whoever we are and wherever life takes us. This hymn was written FOR US!

1	We are the rainbow's colours,
	the thundering sighs of love,
	the shakers of foundations,
	the seething clouds above.
	We are God's chosen people,
	from exile we are freed,
	our common consecration
	means liberty indeed.

2	A hope for every nation,
	we come to bring God's peace,
	the reconciliation,
	the prisoner's release.
	This is our sole vocation,
	the reason for our birth,
	to offer hope through loving,
	to bring God's peace on earth.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 2002, 2006 Stainer & Bell Ltd (alt 2024 by the author)
Metre: 7 6 7 6 D
Tune: PASSION CHORALE

Jesus meets a woman in a crowd – hymn inspired by Mark 5: 21 – 43

Hymn inspired by Mark 5: 21 – 43 Jesus meets a woman in a crowd

1	Within a crowd where we're alone 
	with nothing left to say; 
	when fear has traced our every step 
	and love has gone away;
	God, give us courage, help us step 
	beyond this cage of time 
	to find again the freedom steps 
	to dance with heaven's rhyme.
	
2	God, help us grasp the hem of hope, 
	the garment of your grace; 
	to look again with certain eyes 
	at love within your face.
	God, send us out to live again, 
	to live well and be blessed, 
	to pirouette with steps of love, 
	in every way refreshed.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: CMD
Tune: KINGSFOLD