Mercy and Rule (on Psalm 110)

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Where is the kingdom of the Lord?
the victory divine?
accomplishing by powerful Word,
immutable design?
Mysterious mercy: mutineers
transformed invisibly –
a multitude of volunteers
now serve Christ willingly.

Astonishing and splendid grace
that gives the blind true sight
to gladly turn and leave the ranks
of hostile, hopeless night.
The Son is promised Priest and King,
and perfect Sacrifice.
He’s at Jehovah’s side to bring
his help for my distress.

Enthroned in heaven, his rule extends
amidst his enemies –
he saves, but when forbearance ends,
he’ll crush his foes with ease.
Magnificent display of power,
his final Day of war;
Christ will not faint in conquest’s hour,
– we’ll praise him evermore

The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.
… Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, … (Psalm 110:1,3)

Tune: DCM eg tunes of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ – Forest Green (English Traditional Melody arr by Ralph Vaughan Williams ) or Christmas Carol by H W Davies

Mary meets Elizabeth

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A leap of joy from a foetal boy,
his mother stirred to prophetic word
for the mother of Jesus had come,
(the Son of God enclosed in her womb).

Mary sang of God’s praise
and redeeming ways,
of her poor position,
and sinful condition,
of blessed experience,
God’s touch and sustenance
as taught in his Word,
and by Gabriel revealed;

those who approach him in reverent fear
find his rescuing mercy is near
but those who ignore, no regard for his name
are scattered, judged, empty, and end up in shame;
sang of covenant mercy to Abraham’s seed,
Messiah is coming to meet all our need.

“… and blessed is the child you will bear” … “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble estate of his servant …  His mercy extends to those who fear him … he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. … remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants for ever, even as he said to our fathers. “ Luke 1:39-56

Noel, Good News!

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In the past God spoke to our fore-fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heri of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1,2


There is a mighty Sovereign God
transcendent, yet concerned
for men and women, boys and girls,
revealing all we’ve learned
by teaching through the prophets down
the years to Is-ra-el,
and finally he sent his Son
– Jesus – good news, No-el.

DCM eg  ‘Noël’, tune of ‘He came upon a midnight clear’

Reasons to Praise

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Wholehearted praise, through all my days;
reflective gaze, on all your ways:
creation beautiful I see,
and purchased full salvation free.

Your grace has taught of freedom bought –
your peace we sought, by mercy caught;
taste help each day, delight to stay,
to fellowship, and walk your way.

Rejoice, content for you are near,
from condemnation cleansed and clear,
pardoned, no judgement need to fear,
upheld, preserved to persevere.

From hearts made wise, our songs arise,
and praises swell, of him to tell
who is the universe’s King,
kind Sovereign over everything.

‘I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing to your name, O Most High.’ Psalm 9:1,2

Tune: LM eg Morning Hymn by F H Barhelemon (tune of  ‘Awake, my soul, and with the sun’ )
or Duke Street by J Hatton (tune of ‘Fight the good fight’)

Real prayer ?

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So is it to yourself you pray,
or words up to the ceiling say?
do you just bow towards the ground,
enacting for your friends around?

True prayer must be to Someone who
you wish to speak, give honour to,
and ask for that which he alone
can give you, and you long to own.

With sense of poverty and need
and real desire to ask and plead
adoption by the heavenly King,
with childlike love and faith in him,

look up to pray, expectantly
and trust him, not reluctantly;
as constant as you breathe, then pray,
turn problems into payer today.

Our Father’s honour, for his praise
more people following his ways,
provisions to live life for him
and help to keep away from sin.

And ask forgiveness, as you will
forgive those who have done you ill;
eternal powerful King, always
be given glory, awesome praise.

(cf the Lord’s Prayer)

Tune: LM eg Old Hundredth (All people that on earth do dwell)
or Samson (Handel) or Church Triumphant (James Elliott) (tuen of ‘I know that my Redeemer lives)

Mary’s Tale

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By power almighty my son was conceived
before I was married – God’s word I believed.
He also told Joseph this all was his will,
for this was the way he’d salvation fulfil.

Then when he was born, and in manger bed laid,
some shepherds arrived who amazing things said.
So much I’d been told of the role of my son
– his future, I pondered on what was to come.

His ministry, labour would start in due time,
displaying, revealing his nature divine.
Soon after beginning to teach and prepare,
we saw, at a wedding, a glimpse of his power.

His brothers (all younger) at first were concerned,
could not understand him, but later discerned
his saving commission as Lamb and as Lord,
and my heart was bleeding as his life was outpoured.

He saw from the cross, and asked John to be son
to comfort me, caring as he would have done.
You know that from death he returned by God’s power;
soon leaving for heaven, we waited his hour:

We gathered to pray, for his Spirit would come,
on all who now realised my babe was God’s Son,
our Saviour who’d purchased salvation, kind Lord:
this news must be spread out around all the world.

Tune: 11 11 11 11 eg St Denio, tune of ‘Immortal, Invisible, God only wise’)
(cf for instance, Luke 1:32-35; 2:19,20, 33-35; John 2:1-11; 19:26,27; Acts 1:14)

A Carol

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A birth by miracle – a son,
God forms within the mother
before her marriage union, one
who’s human and a Saviour.

See! See! the Son has come,
the only perfect Saving One.
Sing! Sing! the joy he’ll bring
to all who find our Jesus.

For God exists, and truly can
do what would seem impossible,
and no denial by mere man
can prove it is incredible.

Exclusive claim, unique, not my
opinion or invented tale.
Will you ignore it, or rely?
– his help will never ever fail.

It’s indescribable, we’re speechless,
for why such truth and kindness?
A real solution (for the helpless),
for death, and guilt, and sadness!

87 87 if with refrain Greensleves

On Psalm 74

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Oh, do we feel anguish, and agony, shame,
when evil is thriving, and scorn of God’s name,
his church weak and suffering, the gospel ignored,
and few seem to value rich truth of his Word?

We seek you, Oh Lord, in perplexity cry,
desiring your glory, we plead, asking ‘Why?’
We think of your cross, of your plan, and the past
revivals – how long must this mockery last?

Oh, God of the covenant, come to our aid
– your honour uplifted, your mercy displayed,
your kingdom extended; come, evil confound,
and humble us, shatter the lies that abound.

Tune: 11 11 11 11 eg St Luke or Montgomery (tune of ‘How firm a foundation’) of even Houghton can be used.

Acknowledge and Remember

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Remember, give thanks for all endings of strife,
remember the many who died, gave their life
to help keep the safety of neighbours and kin,
and freedom from cruelty, tyranny, win.

Remember, be praying for those now bereaved,
those living in shock, who have many years grieved,
the widows, the fatherless, parents and friends –
for sorrow from loss to so many extends.

Remember, give thanks for our safety, and pray
that evil will be much confounded today,
and pray for all those who are yet facing death
that they may grasp grace, and a future by faith.

Remember the Saviour who willingly died,
that we may come to him in peace to abide
remember his sufferings deep to atone,
receive his redemption, his sovereignty own.

Tune: 11 11 11 11 sg St Luke

Pure Heart (Calon Lan)

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Do not long to live in plenty,
life of ease, or worldly fame;
pray a happy heart of beauty,
cleansed from selfishness and shame.

Heart that’s filled with love and goodness –
holy heart is wholly His,
such will ever sing with gladness:
foretaste of eternal bliss.

If I wanted wealth that’s passing
soon it flies, or wastes away;
this I ask brings profit lasting –
sweeten, cleanse my heart each day.

Honest heart I cannot purchase –
mighty Saviour can bestow,
and can daily grant forgiveness,
washing, causing love to grow.

This is based on the Welsh words of  ‘Calon Lân’ by Mr Daniel James
Tune: 87 87 D eg Calon Lân by John Hughes

This is based on the Welsh hymn often sung at Rugby Internationals.
Do they think of the meaning of the words??