Unless we feel our need, and squirm,
we’ll not desire of Christ to learn
– the One who is the Judge, but has
the purchased gift within His hands.
The gift of pardon bought by such
great suffering – oh, he suffered much;
but if you do not see your need
you’ll pass it by, and take no heed.
How often have you wished you’d not
followed again some foolish thought?
and done that thing which caused you shame
within your heart again, again?
Not only pardon but new will,
new life He gives – power to fulfil
desires to stop from doing wrong
and be more kind to everyone.
Tune: 88 88
The Good News comes to Europe
Acts chapter 16
They came to the city of Philippi, where
they went to the river where some met for prayer
– while Lydia was listening as Paul spoke God’s Word,
God opened her heart to receive what she heard.
A girl who was troubled by a spirit evil
they healed, but the “owners” were angry, for real
their loss, so they dragged them to magistrates, lied
– false charges: then beaten, imprisoned, untried.
Paul, Silas sang hymns and were praying to God
at midnight – the prisoners around gladly heard,
but suddenly an earthquake – the foundations shook,
their bonds were all opened, the jailer awoke.
He thought they’d escaped, but Paul called, ‘We’re all here’,
the jailer then asked of salvation to hear;
and on the next morning, the magistrates came
– alarmed, they apologised for what had been done!
Tune: 11 11 11 11
Is there Someone Supernatural Powerful?
Musings and wonderings, ideas swirl;
is there a Being unseen, supreme, real?
And is He kind, does He see, is He strong?
Know what I need, and that I have done wrong?
How could it be that the answers be known?
Only one way – if that Being has shown,
somehow revealed to mankind of His ways:
God, the Creator sent word many days.
Spoke many times through the prophets before
sending His Son to reveal clearly more.
Early He gave them succinctly His law,
helping them know of their guiltiness sore.
Jesus came bringing the news of God’s grace,
willingly taking the sinners’ earned place.
Don’t drift away with the flow of the day:
if you refuse Him, there’s no other way.
The Book of Hebrews chapter 1 verses 1 to 4 in the Bible and chapter 2:1-4
Tune:| 10 10 10 10
Best Purpose
Humankind, both men and women –
for what do we all exist??
what’s the purpose of our being,
of what should our life consist?
That for which we were created
is to glorify our God
and enjoy Him, great Provider:
Master, Shepherd, Father, Lord.
“Follow, heed the Maker’s guidance
if you want this thing to last.”
Our Creator, knows our needs, guides
– Words by which we can be blessed!
Tune: 87 87
[(Westminster Shorter Catechism 1647) starts with:
Q.1, What is the chief end of man?
A.1 Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.]
I don’t believe there is a God!!
… but is there?
You don’t believe there is a God?
Is that a fact, or your desire?
your inclination, or suspicion?
a real conviction or decision?
But can you know? D’you want to know?
What difference would it make if so?
Maybe you feel he maybe is,
but do not like the way that this
world is, and so reject if so
a God who does not choose to do
at once what you feel should be done
– you’ll not submit to such a One.
But is your wisdom really right?
and if He is, and active, might
He yet be doing and will do
a better plan than thought by you?
So think about the evidence –
well, does it honestly make sense?
And what of Jesus Christ – please don’t
say He’s a fake though you’ve not, won’t
yourself read his biography
– test accusations carefully.
Don’t lose a gift by scorns and sneers,
and judge with unjust haste and fears.
I do not think you’ll find it reads
like they’re embellishing His deeds
– the Bible’s trusted, tested, true –
tells what He taught and did for you.
Records men doubt and slip and fall –
records Christ’s gentle, powerful call.
Tune: 88 88 88 eg Carey’s (surrey) tune of ‘Great God of wonders all Thy ways’
or Mozart (Isaac) byMotzart tune of ‘We have not known Thee as we ought’
Angels Really!
Appearing sometimes as a man,
sometimes a brilliant awesome one,
though usually unseen, God’s servants they
are spirits who his will obey.
The angel Gabriel one day came,
to tell Zecharaiah he’d have a son:
who’d be the one to call, prepare
all for the Christ who’d soon appear.
And then to Mary, Gabriel went
with such an amazing message sent –
that she would have a child unique –
almighty God, a baby weak!!
A crowd of angels at his birth –
they knew the wonder, knew His worth –
so seen by shepherds, making known
the mightiest work had now begun!
And when his ministry began,
the devil tempted him, and then
some angels came in serving role –
and still, they help God’s people all.
And in Gethsemane, he faced
the awful task before him placed
‘But if it is your will’, he’d do
this saving job for me and you.
And at that anguish great there came
an angel strengthening him again.
And when he’d risen – glorious day!
– an angel rolled the stone away!
Appearing as a man, but bright
the guarding soldiers shook with fright,
and when the women came, announced
that Jesus lives, death’s grip he’d trounced.
Tune: LM
[Bible references: Luke 1:11-20; 26-38; Luke 2: 8-14; Matthew 4:11; Hebrews 1:14; Luke 22: 42-44; Matthew 28:2-7]
I know where I’m going!
I’m journeying on towards home,
where fullness of blessing is found;
though often I long to fly on,
I’m treading this life’s barren ground.
To stay I’m resigned, for I find
for now there is work to be done.
A pilgrimage on to that place
upheld by his comforting grace.
To all that I meet I must say,
‘My Father’s preparing a home¬’
‘Don’t dither, join Jesus today’.
You’ll never regret once begun.
While here now, my task is to ask:
to win some will sweeten my way.
A pilgrimage on to that place
upheld by his comforting grace.
And sometimes the journey seems slow,
I’ll surely arrive there one day.
What distance there is still to go
now none but my Father can say.
And so I’ll invite to life’s Light! –
my God now and always to know!
A pilgrimage on to that place
upheld by his comforting grace.
Tune: 88 88 88 88 eg Trewen by David E Evans, tune of ‘A sovereign protector I have’
This is based on an old Welsh hymn ‘‘Tuag adref ‘r wyf yn teithio’ (Towards home I am travelling) by O R Owen
The thief on the cross and the Man in the middle
He knew so little then,
but that he had no right
to enter after death
that heaven pure and bright.
But knew he would go there,
for he had asked this man
who gave his word, his gift,
as only Jesus can.
If we look at our life
to judge how good we are,
we will be quite depressed
at all we see laid bare.
Though some may think they’re good
enough to please the Lord:
their pride is foolishness,
their judgement is absurd.
So look away, ask Him
who was upon the cross
for life eternal as a gift,
and he in grace will bless.
Tune: 66 66 eg Ibstone by M Tiddeman, tune of ‘Thy way not mine, O Lord’
The ‘Healing’ all need
It’s not just that we do what’s wrong,
but that we tend to do what’s wrong,
without a deep desire sure
for what is right and good and pure.
We do not notice when we lie,
or else excuse it – want to try
to make our way and maybe cheat
if that provides a benefit.
Or maybe try to turn away
when feel temptation leads astray
but do not have the power or will
such faint desire to fulfil.
But He who offers pardon gives
a life made new, His Spirit lives
within to give desire and might
now – healed to live more in His light.
Tune: LM
Come, pray …
Why scorn all thought of one great God?
a God who came to earth
as babe, and when a man, did good,
was kind. and taught the truth.
He understood amd welcomed all
– the Friend of sinners, He
helped those now sorry for their fall,
hated hypocrisy.
Just so He’ll gladly hear your prayer –
Ask Him to help you ‘see’
His Kingdom comes, soon everywhere
the world will bow the knee.
Tune: CM eg tune of ‘Amazing Grace’
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 
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