LORD, FOR THE YEARS Your love has kept and guided,

Urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,

Sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:

Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

 

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,

Speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,

Teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:

Lord of the word, receive Your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,

Spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:

For young and old, for commonwealth and nation,

Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

 

Lord, for our world where men disown and doubt You,

Loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,

Hungry and helpless, lost indeed without You:

Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

 

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us –

Self on the cross and Christ upon the throne,

Past put behind us, for the future take us:

Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

Timothy Dudley-Smith

AND CAN IT BE that I should gain

An interest in the Saviour’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies:

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the first-born seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine!

’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

 

He left His Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace;

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race.

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free;

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

 

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold, I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Charles Wesley.

THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD, I’ll not want.

He makes me lie in pastures green.

He leads me by the still, still waters,

His goodness restores my soul.

 

And I will trust in You alone.

And I will trust in You alone,

For Your endless mercy follows me,

Your goodness will lead me home.

 

He guides my ways in righteousness,

And He anoints my head with oil,

And my cup, it overflows with joy,

I feast on His pure delights.

 

And though I walk the darkest path,

I will not fear the evil one,

For You are with me, and Your rod and staff

Are the comfort I need to know.

Stuart Townend.

HALLELUJAH! SING TO JESUS;

His the sceptre, His the throne;

Hallelujah! His the triumph,

His the victory alone.

Hark, the songs of holy Zion

Thunder like a mighty flood:

‘Jesus out of every nation

Hath redeemed us by His blood.’

 

Hallelujah! not as orphans

Are we left in sorrow now;

Hallelujah! He is near us,

Faith believes, nor questions how.

Though the clouds from sight receivedHim

When the forty days were o’er,

Shall our hearts forget His promise,

‘I am with you ever more’?

 

Hallelujah! Bread of heaven,

Thou on earth our food, our stay;

Hallelujah! here the sinful

Flee to Thee from day to day.

Intercessor, Friend of sinners,

Earth’s Redeemer, plead for me

Where the songs of all the sinless

Sweep across the crystal sea.

 

Hallelujah! sing to Jesus;

His the sceptre, His the throne;

Hallelujah! His the triumph,

His the victory alone.

Hark, the songs of holy Zion

Thunder like a mighty flood:

‘Jesus out of every nation

Hath redeemed us by His blood.’

William Dix

 
Contributors:   Revd Mike Bisset, David Carter, Robert Walpole, Jean Stables, Sylvia Bentham, Alison Bright
Production:   David Carter