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

He is God, and loves me!

God himself who formed the stars
loves me, truly loves me!
Sent his Son, his dear Son
bearing scorn to save me!
Melts my heart and fires my soul:
loving him, my Lord, my all!

God loved me before the stars
all were fashioned by him.
He will love me beyond time
– sight will swell my praising:
There I’ll fully taste and see
 all his love and majesty.

[Tune: 76 76 77 but can be sung to England’s Lane (tune of ‘For the beauty of the earth’ which is 77 77 77 ) or Liebster Jesu by Johann Rudolph Ahle (tune of Blessed Jesus, at Thy word’’ which is 78 78 88, and needs linking crochets to minims – ie two long syllables, not four brief ones – at the beginning of lines 2 and 4!)]

Testimony to personal release

“O son, you know my life was such a mess,
– brought others, and myself distress;
you know things now are so much better,
since, by God’s grace, I broke that fetter,
and found the freedom for a life
that doesn’t injure children, wife;
and so you know why now I urge
you, – follow his good ways, and purge
away temptations fierce, by grace,
(the things you saw your Dad embrace),
and care for family and friends,
with work, and trust, and make amends
where possible, for wrong, but pray,
– for God’s full pardon none can pay,
procured by Christ on that good day;
and with his Spirit’s help his way
you’ll walk, in freedom, loving all
these precious guidelines, firm foundation.
So study his communication
beneficial, – you’ll not fall,
as I did into deadly thrall.”

based on passages like Proverbs 1:1-19; 4:1-17