Hymn

Eternal source of humankind
be near us in life’s stress:
relieve the strain of troubled mind,
dispel our worries, let us find
your comfort and closeness.

When daily pressures take their toll
in endless busyness,
as social systems claim control
and drown the murmurs of our soul,
enfold us in stillness.

Come, Holy Spirit, help us heed
the presence of your dove:
subdue the noise of selfish greed,
of wealth creation and false need
with whispers of your love.

O guide us through life’s complex maze
with gentleness and peace:
to soothe the rush of hectic days,
come calming Spirit, clear the haze
and let us find release.

© Gary Hopkins 2013

Metre: 86 886 (6)
Suggested tune: Repton

Hymn

When our views are varied
and emotions strong,
when belief feels threatened,
claiming others wrong;
show us how to listen
and to not accuse,
open and respectful
to each other’s views.

If we let division
distract from Christ’s reign,
we neglect our calling
to aid those in pain:
Justice must speak louder
than our claims to right;
love must be our essence,
living in the light.

God, forgive your people
in our broken state;
we your church have fostered
prejudice and hate.
Let us embrace difference
in our unity;
for the church is richer
with diversity.

Through a dim-lit mirror,
partial truth we know
and as we discover,
grace and love must grow.
Let God’s truth shine brighter
into every place
till we know completely
and see face to face.

© Gary Hopkins 2012

Metre: 65 65 D
Suggested tune: Evelyns

Hymn

As I stumble through my life, God,
there are times when I despair,
long to know your presence near me,
find an answer to my prayer.
Still, I speak and hope you hear me,
hear the words I try to say,
wondering if you care about me
and what happens day to day?

Round each corner of my life, God,
I can question where you are,
think you’re missing, never listening,
only watching from afar.
As I gaze into the darkness,
pondering what my life’s about,
I remember all we’ve been through
and I wonder why I doubt.

Then I know you’ve never left me,
always been there from the start,
and I’m sorry for my doubts, God,
we will never be apart.
Help me lean on all you’ve promised,
know that on you I depend:
as you’ve kept me, so you’ll keep me
from this day until the end.

© Gary Hopkins 2012

Metre: 87 87D
Suggested tune: Nettleton

Hymn

The gift of freedom brings us choice
which often makes us torn:
should we fulfil our earthly wants
or live our lives reborn?

Each choice we make is like a drop
that falls into a lake
and ripples out beyond our sight
with power to make or break.

God, make us wise to our impact
in choices we control
and help us choose the way of Christ
that makes another whole.

Forgive us, God, when freedom brings
enslavement and abuse;
encourage us to sacrifice
and think each time we choose.

O God of love, expand our minds
to see beyond the shore
and look at how each drop affects
the world that you adore.

© Gary Hopkins 2012

Metre: 86 86
Suggested tune: Contemplation

Hymn

Come, all who seek for love and its renewing,
gather in peace and look to God above;
unfold hard hearts and let Christ’s swift enduing
renew, restore and fill each heart with love.

Love is the key to unlock heaven’s beauty,
with every turn God’s power can make a way;
strength found in love that’s true and not cold duty:
love’s climax opens God’s eternal day.

When guilt destroys the hope, and joy is far gone,
love’s promise stays and echoes once again:
nothing can part us from God’s love and pardon,
the end in Christ is in God’s heavenly reign.

Then at the end, with Christ, there’ll be love’s treasure,
sealed with the kiss of Spirit, Maker, Word,
flung open wide with joy beyond all measure,
consumed in love and harmony restored.

© Gary Hopkins 2010