Hymn: When our views are varied
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
Song: I dream this world will wake up
I dream this world will wake up and see the grief and pain –
lives broken by division, the barriers that remain –
to see that all our hatred brings misery and tears
and conflict with each other will never quench our fears.
For there must be another way to be this human race;
together we can find it and build a better place.
A place where lives are cherished and no one has it rough,
where no one is neglected and each one has enough.
This dream will be accomplished in give and not in take;
through sharing with each other a new world we can make.
A world of peace and justice, with love for everyone,
where hand in hand, united, we all can live as one.
© Gary Hopkins 2011
Tune: Thaxted (I vow to thee, my country – from Jupiter by Holst)