JESUS SHALL REIGN where’er the sun

Doth his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

 

For Him shall endless prayer be made,

And praises throng to crown His head;

His name like sweet perfume shall rise

With every morning sacrifice.

 

People and realms of every tongue

Dwell on His love with sweetest song,

And infant voices shall proclaim

Their early blessings on His name.

 

Blessings abound where’er He reigns;

The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;

The weary find eternal rest,

And all the sons of want are blessed.

 

Let every creature rise and bring

Peculiar honours to our King;

Angels descend with songs again,

And earth repeat the loud Amen!

Isaac Watts.

MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOUR

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and power controlling

All I do and say.

 

May the word  of God dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His power.

 

May the peace of God my Father

Rule my life in everything,

That I may be calm to comfort

Sick and sorrowing.

 

May the love of Jesus fill me,

As the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing,

This is victory.

 

May I run the race before me,

Strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus,

As I onward go.

  Kate B. Wilkinson (1859-1928)

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God:

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

 

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down:

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

 

Were the whole realm of Nature mine,

That were an offering far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all!

Isaac Watts.

CHRIST IS MADE THE SURE FOUNDATION,

Christ the Head and Cornerstone,

Chosen of the Lord and precious,

Binding all the church in one;

Holy Zion’s help for ever,

And her confidence alone.

 

All within that holy city

Dearly loved of God on high,

In exultant jubilation

Sing, in perfect harmony;

God the One-in-Three adoring

In glad hymns eternally.

 

We as living stones invoke You:

Come among us, Lord, today!

With Your gracious loving-kindness

Hear Your children as we pray;

And the fullness of Your blessing

In our fellowship display.

 

Here entrust to all Your servants

What we long from You to gain –

That on earth and in the heavens

We one people shall remain,

Till united in Your glory

Evermore with You we reign.

 

Praise and honour to the Father,

Praise and honour to the Son,

Praise and honour to the Spirit,

Ever Three and ever One:

One in power and one in glory

While eternal ages run.

J.M. Neale (1818-66)
Contributors:   Revd Mike Bisset,  Revd Graham Summers,  Ruth Green, Deborah Yeates, Roy Bentham
Production:   David Carter