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The Lenten Journey
It was a journey charged with love,
this stumbling journey to the cross,
Midst tears and sorrow it was made,
by One who counted all else loss,
Christ counted all else loss.
It was a journey charged with hope,
our health and wholeness, his desire,
In spite of darkness, dread and death,
His purpose charged with holy fire,
with hope and holy fire.
It was a journey charged with faith,
faith holding fast to love’s great plan,
Christ stumbled on, determined, strong
this faithful, God full, Son of Man,
this faithful Son of Man.
It was a journey charged with God,
as charged are stories, sparks and stars.
The cross, the shame, he did endure,
so love, and faith could then be ours.
be ours for evermore.
© Norman E Brookes
Tune: St Margaret MHB 448
Hymns & Psalms 685
Note: This hymn was sparked by a quote
from the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins:
"All things therefore are charged with love,
are charged with God and if we knew how to
touch them give of sparks and take fire, yield
drops and flow, ring and tell of him".
A Palm Sunday Processional
Blest is the One who comes,
comes in the name of the Lord.
Comes in love and peace to bring
hope for all in need.
With palm leaves and with garments
with songs and loud hosannas,
we will join that happy throng and
Sing that song.
He comes into the city,
brings to its sacred Temple
words of justice and of truth,
words of hope and love.
Not let us journey with him,
with his disciple band,
sing and shout our loud hosannas,
watch him stand.
Blest is the One who comes
into the Temple courtyard,
place of faith, of hope, of prayer,
place of love and care.
Here Jesus takes his stand,
tips tables, whip in hand,
den of thieves this shall not be, but
place of prayer.
We will today stand with him.
for faith, for truth, for God.
Stand against all evil foes,
that exploit for gain.
As we sing loud hosannas,
join with that ancient throng,
let us make a stand with Jesus,
Right all wrong.
Let us take our stand with Jesus:
Right all wrong.
© Norman E Brookes
(suggested tune: Dam Buster’s March(final section) – Eric Coates)
A Hymn for Mothers’ Day
Today we remember our mothers with pride,
those with us and those who’ve passed on,
They gave to us life, then let us decide
the pathway we’d journey along.
So let us today, sing aloud of their faith,
and learn from their lives if we will,
for being a mother in this day and age,
Is a challenge that lies with us still.
From Sarah to Mary, faith stories are told,
how they nurtured their children with skill,
Through hardship, and toil, they built their households,
their wisdom and faith touch us still.
So let us today, sing aloud of their faith,
and learn from their lives if we will,
For being a mother in this day and age,
Is a challenge that lies with us still.
Now thanks be for mothers, and fathers too,
who nurture our children with care,
Who lead by example, with hope in their hearts
that our children in Christ’s love will share.
So let us today, sing aloud of their faith,
And learn from the past if we will,
For being a parent in this day and age,
Is a challenge that calls for great skill.
©Norman E Brookes
Tune: Believe me, if all those endearing young charms.
Public Domain download for free from the internet.
Hymn Break down the barriers
In Jesus Christ all can be one,
barriers he breaks of tribe and race.
Calls us to welcome all those who come
each child of God let love embrace.
This is our prayer, our heartfelt plea
that all may live in unity.
In Jesus Christ all can be one,
barriers he breaks of wealth and class.
Both poor and rich, all those who come,
are equals in the sight of God.
This is our prayer, our heartfelt plea
that all may live in unity.
In Jesus Christ all can be one,
barriers he breaks of gender too
Discrimination is undone,
equality is each one’s due.
This is our prayer, our heartfelt plea
that all may live in unity.
This is our prayer, our fervent hope,
that we, in Christ, will live as one.
Set free from prejudical strife
so that, in love, God’s will is done.
This is our prayer, our heartfelt plea
that all may live in unity.
©Norman E Brookes
Tune: St Catherine (H&P 747)(MHB 558)
Based on Galatians 3:28.
John Wesley: “Though we cannot think alike,
may we not love alike? May we not be of one
heart, though we are not of one opinion?
Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the
children of God may unite, notwithstanding
these smaller differences.”