Sunday Audio Service – Epiphany 1 – Holy Communion – 12/01/25
IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might.
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life Thou givest, to both great and small.
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all.
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish; but naught changeth Thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight.
All laud we would render: O help us to see
’Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Walter Chalmers Smith.
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THOU, WHOSE ALMIGHTY WORD
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight.
Hear us, we humbly pray,
And where the gospel-day
Sheds not its glorious ray,
Let there be light!
Thou who didst come to bring,
On Thy redeeming wing,
Healing and sight.
Health to the sick in mind,
Sight to the inly blind,
O now to all mankind
Let there be light!
Spirit of truth and love,
Life-giving, holy Dove,
Speed forth Thy flight.
Move on the waters’ face,
Bearing the lamp of grace,
And in earth’s darkest place
Let there be light!
Blessèd and holy Three,
Glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, love, might.
Boundless as ocean’s tide
Rolling in fullest pride,
Through the world far and wide
Let there be light!
John Marriott.
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HAIL TO THE LORD’S ANOINTED,
Great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
He comes, with succour speedy,
To those who suffer wrong.
To help the poor and needy,
And bid the weak be strong.
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in His sight.
He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth.
Love, joy and hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth.
Before Him, on the mountains,
Shall peace, the herald, go.
And righteousness, in fountains,
From hill to valley flow.
Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring.
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing.
To Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend,
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end.
O’er every foe victorious,
He on His throne shall rest.
From age to age more glorious,
All-blessing and all-blessed.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove.
His name shall stand forever,
His changeless name of Love.
James Montgomery.
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CHRIST TRIUMPHANT, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King,
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
Hear us as we sing:
Yours the glory and the crown,
The high renown, the eternal name.
Word incarnate, truth revealing,
Son of Man on earth!
Power and majesty concealing
By your humble birth:
Suffering Servant, scorned, ill-treated,
Victim crucified!
Death is through the cross defeated,
Sinners justified:
Priestly King, enthroned forever
High in heaven above!
Sin and death and hell shall never
Stifle hymns of love:
So, our hearts and voices raising
Through the ages long,
Ceaselessly upon You gazing,
This shall be our song:
Michael Saward
