Most of the songs which I write are what I like to think of as 'bridge hymns' - new words, but to familiar tunes (or at least, familiar to some of us!)
THANK YOU
(Tune Tak Min Gud)
Thank you, Lord, for transformation,
For the work You’ve done in me;
For Your softening and healing,
For Your power which sets me free.
Thank You for Your lessons daily,
Teaching me like You to grow;
For Your word in all its richness
Where I can Your message know.
Thank You that my past is over –
I can now begin anew.
Thank You that the clouds have vanished
And your light is shining through.
Thank You for Your blood, which cleanses,
Washing me from all my sin.
Thank You for Your Holy Spirit
Bringing life and power within.
Thank You I can face tomorrow
Knowing you are faithful, true.
Thank You for the calm assurance
What you promised You will do.
Thank You for the hope, the future
Which You have for me prepared.
Thank You for Your love unbounded
Which to me You have declared.
~~~~~
A PSALM OF CONFESSION
(Aurelia)
Lord, I am far from blameless –
Although I try to walk
Within Your love and statutes
Temptations round me stalk.
My heart becomes so anxious
And I fall into sin.
I ask for Your forgiveness
As this day I begin.
I can so easily ‘lose’ You –
Forget that You are there;
In my strength try to serve You –
And so I come in prayer.
Lord, fill me with Your wisdom,
Your power for today
And open up my vision
That I may know Your way.
As people press around me
And I meet human need
Open my eyes to see it
And lay aside my greed.
My hands, my feet, words, actions
Must show Your presence here.
You choose the weakest vessels
To bring Your power near.
Though I am far from blameless
I am your precious child.
In Christ you see me spotless,
Holy and undefiled.
Lord, help me be more like Him –
In love and grace to grow
That all my words and actions
Your beauty here may show.
~~~~~
A PSALM OF CREATION
(St. Denio)
For all Your creation I thank You, O Lord.
All things in nature proclaim Your great word –
Sun shining brightly, the moon in the night
Tell of Your greatness, the Lord of all light.
All of Your creatures Your power display,
Showing your handiwork to us today.
Hills, plains and waters Your beauty declare,
King of the ages, great God, always there.
And our creativeness we bring to You.
Our gifts we offer – may Your life shine through.
Words, pictures, craftsmanship we dedicate
To Your own service, all we can create.
And at the end of the day we would bring
All of ourselves to the feet of our King.
Be with us now, as we lay down to sleep.
Our faithful God, for we know You will keep.
~~~~~
A PSALM FOR TODAY
(Tune - Trust in God)
I awake, look on the world around me
And I wonder what will be today.
As the fears and cares of life surround me
I need you to help me on life’s way.
Only you can be my true Defender;
God alone the lifter of my head;
Only you, with hands so strong and tender
Meet my need, and feed with Living Bread.
As the day wears on, things are so busy
It is easy to lose sight of You –
In my own strength try to face my problems
As there seems so very much to do.
But I hear your voice still gently calling
“Come aside, My child and rest awhile.
Be with Me, for so My strength will fill you.
Come, relax and gaze upon My smile.
Satan comes with fears and strong temptations
And in my own strength I’ll surely fail.
But with Christ’s own power at work within me
By His grace I know I will prevail.
Greater far than all the foes against me
Is the power of Christ, Who dwells within
And I trust in Him today, tomorrow.
He alone can keep my soul from sin.
All the weakness of my soul and body
I can trust completely to his hands
For my Lord has promised He will give me
Grace, sufficient for the day’s demands.
As through all the years my god has led me,
He is faithful, and will lead me still
As I let him have control, and trust Him
Then in me His purpose He’ll fulfil.
~~~~~
ALL INSTRUMENTS AND VOICES – PRAISE THE LORD!
(The varied instruments and styles of Christian worship)
(Aurelia; Thornbury)
Each instrument, so varied
Joins in a paeon of praise.
With trumpet sound and cymbals
To God our voice we raise.
The quiet harp enwraps us
And fills our souls with peace.
It reaches deep inside us,
Brings healing and release.
With timbrels and with dancing,
With joy we celebrate.
We lift our hearts and voices
To praise our God so great.
With sweet improvisation
The harmonies now blend,
Praising our Saviour, Jesus,
Our Master and our Friend.
The songs of common people
We take, to worship Him.
The beauty of the music
Lifts us in joyous hymn.
Such varied types of music,
All precious in Your ear
From varied, diverse people
To God, our Saviour dear.
Ann S Clifton
~~~~~ Author's Notes:
Again, has two hymn tunes suggested. This was written on a music and meditation day.
WORSHIP
(St. Denio)
I pour out my being to You, mighty Lord.
I fall down in worship, Your name is adored.
In wonder and worship I humbly would bow –
Great God of eternity, Lord of my ‘now.’
The beauty of music uplifting my soul –
I come in Your presence, and I am made whole.
The harmonies take me to heaven above.
I’m thrilled with Your beauty and wrapped in Your love.
And if, on this earth, I such glory may share,
Then what will it be in the heavens so fair
To gaze on the Lamb, Who for sinners was slain;
To join with the angels in glorious refrain.
All praise to the Father, all praise to the Son
And praise to the Spirit – great God, Three in One.
With joy and thanksgiving my voice I shall raise
And my soul be lost in the depths of Your praise.
(Written on the Music and Meditation Day - listening to music by Tallis and Palestrina)
~~~~~
GOD OF MY JOURNEY
(Slane)
God of my journey and God of my way,
God of my footsteps and God of each day,
I would walk with You, Your company share.
I would walk closely with You everywhere.
God of my journey, of all that I do,
I need Your presence the whole of life through.
You will not leave me, my Strength and my guide.
You will sustain me and walk by my side.
God of my journey, by Your gentle hand
You lead me safely in paths You have planned
Till in the mansions of glory above
I’ll praise my Saviour and sing of your love.
~~~~~
HOLY SPIRIT
(can be sung to ‘Bethany’)
By the Spirit I’m forgiven,
Born into God’s family;
Made an heir of full salvation;
Given hope eternally.
Transformation by the Spirit
Working in me I may know –
Changed into the family likeness
His own grace and power to show.
I can have no higher status
Than the privilege He gives.
I can know deepest communion
Since the Spirit in me lives.
I am loved, welcomed and cherished
And my future is secure.
I can pray and know God listens,
For His promises are sure.
There are gifts for all God’s children,
Given to each that they may share,
Building up, spreading God’s blessing
To His people everywhere,
I may know His power for service,
Power to witness for my King.
With the Spirit living in me
Glory to my Lord I’d bring.
~~~~~
The Name of Jesus by ann_c
The greatest Name given to all of mankind;
The Name in which life and salvation we find;
The Name of redemption, of healing and peace;
The Name of forgiveness, of joy and release.
The Name of all power transforming the heart;
The Name which alone can true victory impart;
The Name which brings newness, gives strength for the day:
The Name which gives guidance and light on the way.
The Name which brings pardon and freedom from fear;
The Name which assures us that Jesus is near;
Then Name of all holiness, cleansing from sin;
The Name which proclaims we new life may begin.
The Name of our Saviour, The Name of our King;
The Name of the Lord, to Whom homage we bring;
That Name stands for ever - it never will fail.
The Name of our Jesus will ever prevail.
19/11/2006
Based on a sermon by Lt.Colonel Royston Bartlett at a visit by the International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army.
(Can be sung to St. Denio)
~~~~~
COMMISSIONED AND COMMANDED
(Based on words by Mrs. Lt.Colonel Kathy Bearcroft - 12th June 2006)
Tune: Lorelei
Commissioned to serve the Master;
Commanded to labour here;
Commissioned to serve Christ boldly
And trust Him without fear.
Commissioned to be His witness –
To tell what Christ has done;
By word and action showing
The nature of the Son.
Commanded to bring Christ’s healing
To those in so much need,
Caring for soul and body,
The hungry ones to feed.
Commissioned, not in my own strength,
For Christ to forward go;
Depending on the Spirit
His power I may know.
Commissioned and commanded –
Christ’s designated one
To live for God’s own purpose,
To serve till life is done,
Then join the cloud of witness,
Spurring our fellows on
To fulfil their commission
Till victory is won.
~~~~~
LORD, YOU ARE CHANGING ME
(Tune: Nuttall)
Lord, You are changing me
To be like You;
Cleansing and filling me
Your work to do;
Purging my inward sin,
Healing my soul within;
Putting Your wholeness in;
Making me new.
Lord, You are changing me
By grace divine.
My heart and life to You
I now resign.
My zeal and hope inspire;
Cleanse with Your holy fire;
This is my heart’s desire –
Come and refine.
Lord, You are changing me,
Taking the past –
Using each part of me,
Holding me fast;
Working Your holy will
As I am waiting, still –
With power my spirit fill –
Life that will last.
Lord, You are changing me
Leading me on,
Planning my way in love
Shown by the Son.
Lord of my earthly ways;
Lord of my future days,
I would live to Your praise.
Your will be done.
~~~~~
THANK YOU
(Tune Tak Min Gud)
Thank you, Lord, for transformation,
For the work You’ve done in me;
For Your softening and healing,
For Your power which sets me free.
Thank You for Your lessons daily,
Teaching me like You to grow;
For Your word in all its richness
Where I can Your message know.
Thank You that my past is over –
I can now begin anew.
Thank You that the clouds have vanished
And your light is shining through.
Thank You for Your blood, which cleanses,
Washing me from all my sin.
Thank You for Your Holy Spirit
Bringing life and power within.
Thank You I can face tomorrow
Knowing you are faithful, true.
Thank You for the calm assurance
What you promised You will do.
Thank You for the hope, the future
Which You have for me prepared.
Thank You for Your love unbounded
Which to me You have declared.
~~~~~
A PSALM OF CONFESSION
(Aurelia)
Lord, I am far from blameless –
Although I try to walk
Within Your love and statutes
Temptations round me stalk.
My heart becomes so anxious
And I fall into sin.
I ask for Your forgiveness
As this day I begin.
I can so easily ‘lose’ You –
Forget that You are there;
In my strength try to serve You –
And so I come in prayer.
Lord, fill me with Your wisdom,
Your power for today
And open up my vision
That I may know Your way.
As people press around me
And I meet human need
Open my eyes to see it
And lay aside my greed.
My hands, my feet, words, actions
Must show Your presence here.
You choose the weakest vessels
To bring Your power near.
Though I am far from blameless
I am your precious child.
In Christ you see me spotless,
Holy and undefiled.
Lord, help me be more like Him –
In love and grace to grow
That all my words and actions
Your beauty here may show.
~~~~~
A PSALM OF CREATION
(St. Denio)
For all Your creation I thank You, O Lord.
All things in nature proclaim Your great word –
Sun shining brightly, the moon in the night
Tell of Your greatness, the Lord of all light.
All of Your creatures Your power display,
Showing your handiwork to us today.
Hills, plains and waters Your beauty declare,
King of the ages, great God, always there.
And our creativeness we bring to You.
Our gifts we offer – may Your life shine through.
Words, pictures, craftsmanship we dedicate
To Your own service, all we can create.
And at the end of the day we would bring
All of ourselves to the feet of our King.
Be with us now, as we lay down to sleep.
Our faithful God, for we know You will keep.
~~~~~
A PSALM FOR TODAY
(Tune - Trust in God)
I awake, look on the world around me
And I wonder what will be today.
As the fears and cares of life surround me
I need you to help me on life’s way.
Only you can be my true Defender;
God alone the lifter of my head;
Only you, with hands so strong and tender
Meet my need, and feed with Living Bread.
As the day wears on, things are so busy
It is easy to lose sight of You –
In my own strength try to face my problems
As there seems so very much to do.
But I hear your voice still gently calling
“Come aside, My child and rest awhile.
Be with Me, for so My strength will fill you.
Come, relax and gaze upon My smile.
Satan comes with fears and strong temptations
And in my own strength I’ll surely fail.
But with Christ’s own power at work within me
By His grace I know I will prevail.
Greater far than all the foes against me
Is the power of Christ, Who dwells within
And I trust in Him today, tomorrow.
He alone can keep my soul from sin.
All the weakness of my soul and body
I can trust completely to his hands
For my Lord has promised He will give me
Grace, sufficient for the day’s demands.
As through all the years my god has led me,
He is faithful, and will lead me still
As I let him have control, and trust Him
Then in me His purpose He’ll fulfil.
~~~~~
ALL INSTRUMENTS AND VOICES – PRAISE THE LORD!
(The varied instruments and styles of Christian worship)
(Aurelia; Thornbury)
Each instrument, so varied
Joins in a paeon of praise.
With trumpet sound and cymbals
To God our voice we raise.
The quiet harp enwraps us
And fills our souls with peace.
It reaches deep inside us,
Brings healing and release.
With timbrels and with dancing,
With joy we celebrate.
We lift our hearts and voices
To praise our God so great.
With sweet improvisation
The harmonies now blend,
Praising our Saviour, Jesus,
Our Master and our Friend.
The songs of common people
We take, to worship Him.
The beauty of the music
Lifts us in joyous hymn.
Such varied types of music,
All precious in Your ear
From varied, diverse people
To God, our Saviour dear.
Ann S Clifton
~~~~~ Author's Notes:
Again, has two hymn tunes suggested. This was written on a music and meditation day.
WORSHIP
(St. Denio)
I pour out my being to You, mighty Lord.
I fall down in worship, Your name is adored.
In wonder and worship I humbly would bow –
Great God of eternity, Lord of my ‘now.’
The beauty of music uplifting my soul –
I come in Your presence, and I am made whole.
The harmonies take me to heaven above.
I’m thrilled with Your beauty and wrapped in Your love.
And if, on this earth, I such glory may share,
Then what will it be in the heavens so fair
To gaze on the Lamb, Who for sinners was slain;
To join with the angels in glorious refrain.
All praise to the Father, all praise to the Son
And praise to the Spirit – great God, Three in One.
With joy and thanksgiving my voice I shall raise
And my soul be lost in the depths of Your praise.
(Written on the Music and Meditation Day - listening to music by Tallis and Palestrina)
~~~~~
GOD OF MY JOURNEY
(Slane)
God of my journey and God of my way,
God of my footsteps and God of each day,
I would walk with You, Your company share.
I would walk closely with You everywhere.
God of my journey, of all that I do,
I need Your presence the whole of life through.
You will not leave me, my Strength and my guide.
You will sustain me and walk by my side.
God of my journey, by Your gentle hand
You lead me safely in paths You have planned
Till in the mansions of glory above
I’ll praise my Saviour and sing of your love.
~~~~~
HOLY SPIRIT
(can be sung to ‘Bethany’)
By the Spirit I’m forgiven,
Born into God’s family;
Made an heir of full salvation;
Given hope eternally.
Transformation by the Spirit
Working in me I may know –
Changed into the family likeness
His own grace and power to show.
I can have no higher status
Than the privilege He gives.
I can know deepest communion
Since the Spirit in me lives.
I am loved, welcomed and cherished
And my future is secure.
I can pray and know God listens,
For His promises are sure.
There are gifts for all God’s children,
Given to each that they may share,
Building up, spreading God’s blessing
To His people everywhere,
I may know His power for service,
Power to witness for my King.
With the Spirit living in me
Glory to my Lord I’d bring.
~~~~~
The Name of Jesus by ann_c
The greatest Name given to all of mankind;
The Name in which life and salvation we find;
The Name of redemption, of healing and peace;
The Name of forgiveness, of joy and release.
The Name of all power transforming the heart;
The Name which alone can true victory impart;
The Name which brings newness, gives strength for the day:
The Name which gives guidance and light on the way.
The Name which brings pardon and freedom from fear;
The Name which assures us that Jesus is near;
Then Name of all holiness, cleansing from sin;
The Name which proclaims we new life may begin.
The Name of our Saviour, The Name of our King;
The Name of the Lord, to Whom homage we bring;
That Name stands for ever - it never will fail.
The Name of our Jesus will ever prevail.
19/11/2006
Based on a sermon by Lt.Colonel Royston Bartlett at a visit by the International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army.
(Can be sung to St. Denio)
~~~~~
COMMISSIONED AND COMMANDED
(Based on words by Mrs. Lt.Colonel Kathy Bearcroft - 12th June 2006)
Tune: Lorelei
Commissioned to serve the Master;
Commanded to labour here;
Commissioned to serve Christ boldly
And trust Him without fear.
Commissioned to be His witness –
To tell what Christ has done;
By word and action showing
The nature of the Son.
Commanded to bring Christ’s healing
To those in so much need,
Caring for soul and body,
The hungry ones to feed.
Commissioned, not in my own strength,
For Christ to forward go;
Depending on the Spirit
His power I may know.
Commissioned and commanded –
Christ’s designated one
To live for God’s own purpose,
To serve till life is done,
Then join the cloud of witness,
Spurring our fellows on
To fulfil their commission
Till victory is won.
~~~~~
LORD, YOU ARE CHANGING ME
(Tune: Nuttall)
Lord, You are changing me
To be like You;
Cleansing and filling me
Your work to do;
Purging my inward sin,
Healing my soul within;
Putting Your wholeness in;
Making me new.
Lord, You are changing me
By grace divine.
My heart and life to You
I now resign.
My zeal and hope inspire;
Cleanse with Your holy fire;
This is my heart’s desire –
Come and refine.
Lord, You are changing me,
Taking the past –
Using each part of me,
Holding me fast;
Working Your holy will
As I am waiting, still –
With power my spirit fill –
Life that will last.
Lord, You are changing me
Leading me on,
Planning my way in love
Shown by the Son.
Lord of my earthly ways;
Lord of my future days,
I would live to Your praise.
Your will be done.
~~~~~