When we asked people to choose a favourite hymn to become the start of a floral display, we thought there might be many duplicates. This hasn’t happened as people thought really deeply about their choice and many unusual hymns came to the fore. Some explanations were given as to how certain words reflected personal Christian beliefs or underpinned individual statements of faith while other people dug deeply into their memories. It soon became obvious that songs and hymns that were sung in your early years stayed with you for ever. It made me wonder if children of today are still being offered those same musical experiences.
In promoting our flower festival we make it clear that you don’t have to be an accomplished flower arranger in order to take part. This year’s display shows such a huge variety of approach that it is positively joyous.
Enjoy!
This is one of my favourite hymns. I also thought it would brighten up the world at the moment.
Refrain: All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow'r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings. [Refrain]
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky. [Refrain]
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden:
He made them every one. [Refrain]
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. [Refrain]
One of our favourite hymns: especially the last lines:
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
To children’s children and for evermore!
A great hymn of praise sung with plenty of oomph! Based on Mary’s “Magnificat” sung when she was expecting Baby Jesus. A song and a Saviour for today and for all future generations. The hymn speaks of God’s limitless blessings, His unbreakable promises, His deeds done, His mercy shown and His kingdom where all are fed, justice is done, and the powerful humbled.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his Word;
in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his Word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and forevermore!
This hymn is close to my heart as it is sung every year at the annual memorial service at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, where I am a chaplain. It always feels poignant to me that together we sing something so often sung in joyful school assemblies. And yet, amidst the sadness and shared grief present in our gathering, hope emerges in this hymn, as it reminds us that we do not walk alone. Somehow singing it together lifts us, bringing strength to face the future.
Alongside the flowers, which speak to me of the simplicity and potential in childhood, is a finger labyrinth. Christians have used labyrinths for centuries as a tool to reflect on their spiritual journey. I invite you to trace its course, giving thanks for God’s presence in the joys and sorrows in your life, and asking for faith to trust him for whatever lies ahead.
One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go,
from the old things to the new,
keep me travelling along with you:
Refrain: And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.
Round the corners of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you'll be looking at along with me. [Refrain]
As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you'll be telling me the way, I know. [Refrain]
Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you. [Refrain]
You are older than the world can be,
you are younger than the life in me;
ever old and ever new,
keep me travelling along with you. [Refrain]
My arrangement is inspired by the amazing world that we are surrounded by and my love of nature. When I hear the hymn ‘O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy hand hath made’, to me this is a thanksgiving to God for his wonderful creation.
Here in Hughenden we are blessed with the most beautiful surroundings to live in. This year we have been fortunate to travel and seen vastly different countries and climates, where nature and people have adapted to their environments and I never cease to wonder at the glory of God.
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hands hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; [Refrain]
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
that on the cross my burden gladly bearing
he bled and died to take away my sin; [Refrain]
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
and there proclaim: "My God, how great thou art!" [Refrain]
One of my favourite childhood hymns is Who put the colours in the Rainbow, which I sang at St Giles School, Shrewsbury, where I lived during my infant years. If my memory serves me correctly we sang this regularly. This was a C of E school and we had assembly daily; this hymn brings back very happy memories for me.
Who put the colours in the rainbow?
Who put the salt into the sea?
Who put the cold into the snowfl ake?
Who made you and me?
Who put the hump upon the camel?
Who put the neck on the giraffe?
Who put the tail upon the monkey?
Who made hyenas laugh?
Who made whales and snails and quails?
Who made hogs and dogs and frogs?
Who made bats and rats and cats?
Who made everything?
Who put the gold into the sunshine?
Who put the sparkle in the stars?
Who put the silver in the moonlight?
Who made Earth and Mars?
Who put the scent into the roses?
Who taught the honey bee to dance?
Who put the tree inside the acorn?
It surely can’t be chance!
Who made seas and leaves and trees?
Who made snow and winds that blow?
Who made streams and rivers fl ow?
God made all of these!
I love this hymn and its famous tune Melita, for two reasons. As a teenager living on the coast of West Somerset I enjoyed going with my father to Salvation Army songs of praise services, usually on a harbour with a full brass band. Inevitably this hymn was always featured and was a particular favourite of his. Earlier, at primary school, I had been part of the animal chorus in a large community production of Benjamin Britten’s ‘Noyes Fludde’. At one point we children were sitting in rows on the chancel steps and were told to sway gently as we sang this hymn. Powerful stuff and very memorable.
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Savior, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep,
And calm amid the rage did sleep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Holy Spirit, who did brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease,
And give for wild confusion peace;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and pow'r,
Your children shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe,
Protect them where-so-e'er they go;
Thus, evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
Wow what a hymn and it sums up my faith. I love all the words and verses, but my very special verse is the second one. When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. when I look down from lofty mountains grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze, then sings my soul my saviour God to thee; how great thou art; how great thou art. This hymn just stirs the spirit, heart and soul - well it does mine! What a wonderful God we have. Amen.
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hands hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; [Refrain]
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
that on the cross my burden gladly bearing
he bled and died to take away my sin; [Refrain]
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
and there proclaim: "My God, how great thou art!" [Refrain]
My arrangement is based on verse 2 of one of my favourite hymns:
‘Summer and Winter and Springtime and Harvest,
Sun, Moon and Stars in their courses above.’
I feel this hymn tells us that God never changes and is with us always and when times are difficult he will give us – ‘Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow’.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain: Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed Thy hand hath provided:
great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest;
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]
The Artillery Regiment window 1854. Sir Norris Young and his brother both killed.
This well-liked hymn is a suitable choice for this window. The brightly coloured stained glass presents a good setting for this sombre subject and makes us think of the poor men and women still dying in war.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!
Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise! [Refrain]
Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity. [Refrain]
Onward, then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
unto Christ the King;
This thro' countless ages
men and angels sing. [Refrain]
I have chosen this hymn as one of my favourites for various reasons. Although I have several favourites with more sophisticated texts and beautiful melodies, this one with its clear and simple message has many special memories, particularly from my childhood.
At about the age of seven, my mother gave me this book ‘Hymns and Prayers for Children’ helping me to read and understand the text. First and foremost, I was fascinated and captivated by all the beautiful illustrations; a year or two later, I was able to play the piano accompaniment.
The legacy; I have delighted in sharing this hymn and book with two daughters and hope to do the same with my new twin granddaughters.
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In ev'ry way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.
Refrain: A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam:
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.
Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy,
His little one can be. [Refrain]
The first time I experienced a sense of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness was at a Christian summer camp, as a teenager. Up to that point I had struggled with feelings of inadequacy, believing I was never quite ‘good enough’. I knew at that point that the chains of guilt and disappointment that potentially shackle us are broken by God’s overwhelming love and grace.
As an adult I am constantly overwhelmed by God’s love, forgiveness and grace, which allows me to worship God with freedom and joy.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Refrain: My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures [Refrain]
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine [Refrain]
This is my favourite hymn. In its simplicity this African/American spiritual hymn conveys the enormity of the pain and suffering of Christ’s crucifixion. Maybe, because the African slaves suffered and endured so much in their lives, they were able to put Christ’s suffering on the cross for our sins so eloquently into words.
When we sing the words, “Oh! sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble”, I feel so humble that Christ had to pay such a terrible price for my sins.
Finally, in the last verse, we are lifted out of our sorrow by the wonder of the resurrection of Christ and the joyful promise of eternal life.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Refrain : Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;
Were you there when …?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? [Refrain]
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side? [Refrain]
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine? [Refrain]
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? [Refrain]
Were you there when he rose from out the tomb?
Were you there when he rose from out the tomb? [Refrain]
This is one of my favourite hymns. What it means to me:
When we sing this hymn I simply stand in awe of God's power and love.
It fills my heart with joy and warmth when we praise the Lord for his goodness, his love for mankind, for all he has done for 10,000 years and forevermore.
I like the text because it hints at life's ups and downs, at the sun rising each day, at comings and goings, and encourages me to keep singing, to be grateful and stay hopeful, and to trust in God's guidance even through painful moments and whatever each day brings.
Music, nature, words and my faith have always meant a lot to me and got me through challenging times. This hymn encapsulates all these.
This little BUXUS plant on display, with its lustrous evergreen leaves all year round, provides permanent structure to the garden, just like God's presence to our lives. The HEART shape represents BOTH God's unfailing love for us AND the warmth that I feel in my own soul/heart when we sing this hymn and bless the Lord.
Refrain: Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes. [Refrain]
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger,
Your Name is great and Your heart is kind;
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find. [Refrain]
And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near and my time has come;
Still my soul sings Your praise unending,
Ten thousand years and then forevermore. [Refrain]
I have always loved this joyful, optimistic hymn and Bob and I chose it as part of our wedding music.
Earlier this month it was our 60th Wedding Anniversary and it seemed very appropriate to celebrate with flowers both the hymn and our marriage. I have tried to incorporate the colours of our bouquets.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven.
who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise him for his grace and favour
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same forever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore him;
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace!
Written by Charles Wesley and set to music by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, this is a hymn of dedication: a fervent prayer to serve. It invites Jesus to impart a flame of holy fire on the mean human heart and become inextinguishable in working, thinking and speaking of and for Him. It is a lifelong commitment until returned in death to its source.
O thou who camest from above
the fire celestial to impart,
kindle a flame of sacred love
on the mean altar of my heart!
There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and trembling to its source return
in humble prayer and fervent praise.
Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
to work, and speak, and think for thee;
still let me guard the holy fire,
and still stir up the gift in me.
Ready for all thy perfect will,
my acts of faith and love repeat;
till death thy endless mercies seal,
and make the sacrifice complete.
This hymn tells the story of Jesus’ life but gives great hope that even when the devil’s on your back, things will be better. I love the jaunty tune which always reminds me of a wonderful lady, Anne Way, who loved to dance and always danced her way back from the Communion rail. She danced her way to Heaven a couple of years ago where, I am sure, she is dancing still. Also, for his wedding recently when asked which hymns they would like, my grandson said ‘All the hits!’ and this was one of them.
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain: "Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance," said he.
"I'll lead you all wherever you may be,
I will lead you all in the Dance," said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and for John;
They came with me and the dance went on. [Refrain]
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame,
The holy people, they said it was a shame;
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
And they left me there on a cross to die. [Refrain]
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back;
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
But I am the dance and I still go on. [Refrain]
They cut me down and I leapt up high,
I am the life that'll never, never die,
I'll live in you if you'll live in me;
"I am the Lord of the Dance," said he. [Refrain]
This was a favourite hymn for my dear wife Diane and I as it gave great comfort of being within God's embracing hands at all times. This could be within our home, or when facing issues of health or everyday challenges; or even when we were out on our boat in rough waters. The love of God was always with us and supported us to respond to the ups and downs not just of the ocean, but of our everyday lives.
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
I was born at the beginning of the Second World War. My father was away in the Army in France; air raid sirens would go off at night-time and my mother would have to gather the three of us up in our shawls and take us into the damp, cold air-raid shelter until it was safe to return to the house again.
I have chosen this hymn because it was one of the first hymns that I learned at school that really meant something to me; God had created so many beautiful things and God had made all things well. The war was over; my Father was able to return home and we could go to school. We would pick daisies and make daisy-chain necklaces singing ‘All Things bright and beautiful’ as we walked home from school.
Refrain: All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow'r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings. [Refrain]
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky. [Refrain]
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden:
He made them every one. [Refrain]
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. [Refrain]
For me this hymn is almost like a snapshot of the Bible in three verses; three significant events which you might not expect to share any sort of link. Adam hiding from God because he's failed to do what he was told; three disciples who should have kept watch for Jesus, but nodded off; Mary, worried that Jesus' body had been stolen and failing to recognise 'the gardener'.
Celebrating failure? No. Let's understand that even when we fail, God still loves us and we're all part of his plan.
The significance of this hymn for me is that when my father died, I went to locate my mother's (unmarked) grave in a large cemetery. I had the sector letter and plot number and was struggling to orientate the layout when a gardener saw me and asked if I needed help.
God bless all 'gardeners'!
Walking in a garden at the close of day,
Adam tried to hide him when he heard God say:
'Why are you so frightened, why are you afraid?
You have brought the winter in, made the flowers fade.'
Walking in a garden where the Lord had gone,
Three of the disciples, Peter, James, and John;
They were very weary, could not keep awake,
While the Lord was kneeling there, praying for their sake.
Walking in a garden at the break of day,
Mary asked the gardener where the body lay,
But he turned towards her, smiled at her and said:
'Mary, spring is here to stay, only death is dead.'
Following on its Canadian origins, the WI movement in Wales and England started in 1914, Many suffragettes became involved in a movement aimed to improve the life of and further educate rural women and their families while helping in the war effort.
The WI movement embraced the suffragette colours of green, purple and white. An example of the beginnings of the movement was to pressure government to legislate that all new house building had indoor water supply - no more having to take a bucket to a communal well or pump.
I am proud to be a 3rd generation member, now notching up 60 years plus membership of various institutes. Jerusalem was adopted in the movement's early years and was and is still sung at the start of each monthly meeting.
Whenever I hear sung or sing Jerusalem, I think of my grandmother and mother, It increases my awareness of how women's lives have changed over past century, celebrating in no small way, along with others the successful lobbying on issues that the National Federation of England and Wales WIs have achieved for women "in England's green and pleasant land."
And did those feet in ancient time
walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
on England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these dark satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
till we have built Jerusalem
in England's green and pleasant land.
My choice of hymn comes from the love of autumn and the huge variety of sensational colours all around us in the parks and hedgerows for us to enjoy.
My memories of harvesting, with my father, the fruit and vegetables from our allotment, picking the gooseberries and trying to avoid all the thorns that stick into your hands, trying to eat the strawberries without being seen, because there would not be enough for the jam making to follow, such beautiful memories.
Also a reminder that to gain all the pleasure from all these gifts we must prepare for next year with planting and growing new crops with the help of kind weather conditions, so not so dissimilar to the circle of life.
We plow the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God’s almighty hand.
He sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes, and the sunshine,
and soft refreshing rain.
Refrain: All good gifts around us
are sent from heav’n above.
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
for all his love.
He only is the Maker
of all things near and far.
He paints the wayside flower,
he lights the evening star.
The winds and waves obey him,
by him the birds are fed;
much more to us, his children,
he gives our daily bread. [Refrain]
We thank thee, then, O Father,
for all things bright and good,
the seed-time, and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food.
No gifts have we to offer
for all thy love imparts,
But that which thou desirest:
our humble, thankful hearts. [Refrain]
This is a joyful hymn for the beauty of each hour of the day and night. For the beauty of the earth and skies, which cover hill, vale, tree and flowers. Sun and moon and the stars of light. For the joy of love for your brother, sister, parent, child and friends.
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Refrain: Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our sacrifice of praise.
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light, [Refrain ]
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, [Refrain]
For yourself, best gift divine,
to the world so freely given,
agent of God's grand design:
peace on earth and joy in heaven. [Refrain]
The old hymn ‘Peace, perfect peace is the gift of Christ our Lord’ was written in 1875 and its repetitive verse just substituting ‘Love’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Joy’ sends its sweet message to us even today, to find our answers in Jesus alone. I remember singing it in school with my friends and enjoying the simple message: ‘Peace, Love, Hope and Joy to the whole world’.
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord,
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends,
Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord,
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends,
Hope, perfect hope, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord,
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
Thus, says the Lord, will the world know my friends,
Joy, perfect joy, is the gift of Christ our Lord.
This is definitely not my favourite hymn, but it can easily take me back to school assemblies at Clapham Manor Primary School circa 1955. We usually had a hymn. This one is by a lady from Baltimore, Lizette Creese, who died in 1935. It’s quite lovely actually. Go to YouTube!
Glad that I live am I,
that the sky is blue;
glad for the country lanes
and the fall of dew;
After the sun, the rain;
after the rain the sun;
this is the way of life,
till our work be done.
All that we need to do,
be we low or high,
is to see that we grow
nearer the sky.
I have chosen the hymn to bring to mind the ecosystem and the relationship between all living organisms including insects, animals, humans, plants and their physical environment and dependence on one another.
Refrain: All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow'r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings. [Refrain]
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky. [Refrain]
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden:
He made them every one. [Refrain]
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. [Refrain]
I have chosen this hymn because it embodies Christian beliefs.
O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee.
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.
O Light that follows all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee.
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain,
that morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee.
I lay in dust, life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red,
life that shall endless be.
I chose this hymn because I tragically lost someone I loved very much. During this difficult time I really felt held by Jesus I dreamt of my loved one walking next to Jesus happy and at peace.
When life is tough I always come back to Jesus’s extravagant love.
It’s all about you, Jesus
And all this is for you
For your glory and your fame
It’s not about me
As if you should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender
To your ways
Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all of my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, you have loved me
And I will share eternity with you
I sang this at a concert I was taking part in and thought it was lovely; very appropriate at this time regarding all that is happening with climate change.
As caretakers of God’s wonderful world, let us give thanks for it. The verses say it all.
Look at the world
Everything all around us
Look at the world
And marvel every day
Look at the world
So many joys and wonders
So many miracles
Along our way
Refrain: Praise to thee O Lord for all creation
Give us thankful hearts that we may see
All the gifts we share and every blessing
All things come of thee
Look at the earth
Bringing forth fruit and flowers
Look at the sky
The sunshine and the rain
Look at the hills
Look at the trees and mountains
Valley and flowing river
Field and plain [Refrain]
Think of the spring
Think of the warmth of summer
Bringing the harvest
Before the winter's cold
Everything grows
Everything has a season
'Til it is gathered to the fathers fold [Refrain]
Every good gift
All that we need and cherish
Comes from the Lord
In token of his love
We are his hands
Stewards of all his bounty
His is the earth and his the heavens above [Refrain]
This was my favourite hymn at primary school. It was number 49 in my school hymn book and in my, probably rosy, memory we often sang it on a Friday morning and of course the sun was shining!
I think it was the tune I particularly liked but I am fond of the words of the first line.
Summer suns are glowing
Over land and sea;
Happy light is flowing,
Bountiful and free.
Everything rejoices
In the mellow rays;
All earth’s thousand voices
Swell the psalm of praise.
God’s free mercy streameth
Over all the world,
And His banner gleameth,
Everywhere unfurled.
Broad, and deep, and glorious,
As the heav’n above,
Shines in might victorious,
His eternal love,
Lord, upon our blindness
Thy pure radiance pour;
For Thy loving-kindness
Make us love Thee more.
And when clouds are drifting
Dark across our sky,
Then, the veil uplifting,
Father, be Thou nigh,
We will never doubt Thee,
Though Thou veil Thy light;
Life is dark without Thee,
Death with Thee is bright.
Light of Light, shine o’er us
On our pilgrim way;
Go Thou still before us
To the endless day.
My first experience of hymn singing was at junior school and this led to me wanting to join the church choir. Knights and shields had an obvious appeal to a 7 year old boy but I also liked the tune, based on folk music.
The hills and moors around my childhood home in Minehead, Somerset were often covered in heather and gorse; purple and gold. The school song reflected this:
Purple and gold, purple and gold, sing with an ay for the purple and gold.
When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old,
He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold;
With a shield on his arm and a lance in his hand
For God and for valour he rode through the land.
No charger have I, and no sword by my side,
Yet still to adventure and battle I ride,
Though back into storyland giants have fled,
And the knights are no more and the dragons are dead.
Let faith be my shield and let joy be my steed
'Gainst the dragons of anger, the ogres of greed;
And let me set free, with the sword of my youth,
From the castle of darkness the power of the truth.
We sang this hymn on the day the flower festival was announced, and this idea came to me instantly. Verse 4 speaks to me of the dryness of suffering from lack of love, and the poor choices bitter people make. And how the feet of humankind must walk the way of peace. This landscape is about the miracle of love, that, in the face of all aridity and disenchantment will come rushing in to fill the smallest space, given the opportunity.
Come, thou Holy Spirit, come,
And from thy celestial home
Shed thy light and brilliancy:
Father of the poor, draw near,
Giver of all gifts, be here,
Come, the soul's true radiancy.
Come, of comforters the best,
Of the soul the sweetest guest,
Come in toil refreshingly:
Thou in labour rest most sweet,
Thou art shadow from the heat"
Comfort in adversity.
O thou Light most pure and blest,
Shine within the inmost breast
Of thy faithful company:
Where thou art not, man has noug
Every holy deed and thought
Comes from thy divinity.
Sinful hearts do thou make whole,
Bring to life the arid soul,
Guide the feet that go astray:
Make the stubborn heart unbend,
To the faint, new hope extend,
Wounded souls, their hurt allay.
Fill the faithful, who confide
In thy power to guard and guide,
With thy sevenfold mystery:
Here thy grace and virtue send,
Grant salvation in the end,
And in heaven felicity.