A hymn for going out - Now let us go from our praise and our worship
As the Methodist Conference recognises new Deacons and Presbyters might we all consider our own commitment to faith, love and justice - a hymn : Now let us go from our praise and out worship'....
Now let us go from our praise and our worship
out through these doors with the light of the world,
where we can share with our friends and our neighbours
love given freely to have and to hold.
There let us reach to the ones who seem distant,
those we might shun or see pushed to one side,
people less valued than those set around them,
those who the world would accost or deride.
Here is God’s grace and the power of God’s spirit,
here is the love that was seen on the cross,
these we will offer as our obligation,
giving our all, never counting the loss.
Then hand in hand with the neighbours around us,
seeking companionship all of our days,
we’ll follow after the one who has named us,
sharing our bread as we offer God praise.
Andrew Pratt, Words © 2014 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, http://www.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: 11 10 11 10
Tune: EPIPHANY HYMN
Tag: dedication
We strain to hear the voice of God – hymn Epiphany 2
Hymn: We strain to hear the voice of God
We strain to hear the voice of God,
this God who knows us inside out,
a whispered voice of gentleness
that never seeks to force or shout.
Christ's voice was heard in Galilee
by those who had the ears to hear,
he challenged hypocrites with truth
while sinners, sensing love, drew near.
His crazy, crafted way of life,
gave little hint where it might lead,
and yet the people followed him,
each word of Christ met hidden need;
for he addressed with present sense
a desert way of wilderness,
or else the intellectual task
within the city's busyness.
'Come follow me', hear Jesus say,
to those who answered to his call;
and in our present time and place
may we respond and give our all. Amen.
Andrew Pratt Words © 2011 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: 8 8 8 8
Tune: GONFALON ROYAL
Second Sunday after Epiphany, 1 Samuel 3: 1-10 (11-20), Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; John 1:43-51
Toward the Coronation – a hymn
To set the context. Not everyone is a Royalist. I am Republican (in an English sense) by conviction. But… accident makes me roughly a month younger than Charles. He came to Queen’s College, Birmingham when I was training for ministry. He seemed far more at one with us students than many of the accompanying clergy and signatories. He is born into a role he did not choose anymore than I chose my birth. So a hymn for me, for us, perhaps for him…
This hymn is one of prayer, dedication and affirmation which might be used individually, or in connection with the Coronation. (inspired by Philippians 4:8)
Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour,
things that are praiseworthy, honest and pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever brings justice:
these are the things to affirm and secure.
Be known by your gentleness, loyal in your dealings,
favour no person, but honour the poor.
Then welcome the stranger, the widow, the outcast,
to join as companions through love's open door.
Wherever God finds you, wherever you wander,
take faith as your watchword, let care bring renown;
while greeting each neighbour with hands that show friendship
let grace be your goal and let love be your crown.
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. Published in More than hymns
Metre: 12 11 12 11
Tune: WAS LEBET, WAS SCHWEBET
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