Today’s hymn comes from Thomas Cotterill (1779-1823) an Anglican clergyman who became a central figure in the dispute about the propriety of singing hymns in his time. A good hymn to mediate before coming to the Lord’s Table; enjoy!
In memory of the Saviour’s love, We keep the sacred feast. Where every humble, contrite heart Is made a welcome guest.
By faith we take the bread of life Withy which our souls are fed, The cup in token of His blood That was for sinners shed.
In faith and memory thus we sing The wonders of His love, And thus anticipate by faith The heavenly feast above.
Today’s hymn comes from John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811-1875), an Irish minister who served as a chaplain and rector of several churches in Ireland after his ordination in 1835. He was a prolific poet, and published his verse in eleven volumes. Of his three hundred hymns, many celebrated the seasons of the church year1. Enjoy!
Fight the good fight with all your might, Christ is your strength and Christ your right. Lay hold on life, and it shall be your joy and crown eternally.
Run the straight race through God’s good grace; lift up your eyes, and seek his face. Life with its way before us lies; Christ is the path and Christ the prize.
Cast care aside, lean on your guide; his boundless mercy will provide. Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove Christ is its life and Christ its love.
Faint not, nor fear, his arms are near; he changes not, and you are dear. Only believe, and you will see that Christ is Lord eternally.
Today’s song comes from Kenwood, a biblical music ministry of Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. This would be a great one to introduce to your congregation; enjoy!
Come all people, bow before Him, lift your voice for His renown; Christ has stormed the gates of evil, bound the captor, claimed the crown. Sing the praise of Christ exalted, to the Son your tribute bring, join the chorus, “Christ victorious!” Honour to the king of kings.
See behind Him all His faithful, with the weak He shames the strong; all the weary, wounded sinners, ‘neath His banner they belong. Come you strangers, find your refuge from the foe and enemy, He makes wand’rers more than conquerors, people of the king of kings.
When the battle rages ’round me, when I’m failing in the fight, I will call on Him who found me, He is ever on my side. We shall stand against the darkness, armed in Christ, our strength and plea; hell itself shall quake before Him, we are His, the king of kings.
Now we march with Him to glory, for His name we e’er press on. Into death He’s gone before us, hear, O grave, His vict’ry song! His the throne and His the kingdom, His the praise shall ever be, join the chorus, “Christ victorious!” Glory to the king of kings.
Today’s hymn comes from John Pyke Hullah (1812-1884), an English composer and teacher of music, whose promotion of vocal training is associated with the singing-class movement (teaching sight-singing to children at primary school age, which resulted in the formation of a large number of church choirs and choral societies). He worked with Charles Dickens and Felix Mendelssohn1. I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to this one; enjoy!
When Satan my accuser Has so oppressed my heart, That all my joys are smitten And sacred hopes depart; And when I dwell in darkness, As those whose souls are dead, And sorrows overwhelming Invade and rule my head.
Then in my desolation I muse on days gone by: Review God’s gracious blessings, His power from on high, His hand of lovingkindness That saved a wretch like me, And brought me out of bondage The path of life to see.
Reflecting on the goodness And mercies of the Lord, Then tracing all the wonders Discovered in His Word; And thinking of the trials Once brought to Him in prayer, And all His answering kindness, I feel, once more, His care!
How can I doubt my Saviour? I stretch my hands again, And thirst for further tokens Of my eternal gain; O Lord, I’ll trust Thy promise, Thy faithfulness and love; Come, lead me ever onward To Thy dear land above.
Today’s hymn on church unity comes from Edward H. Plumptre (1821-1891), a classical and biblical scholar. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1846. Plumptre served as a preacher at Oxford and a professor of pastoral theology at King’s College, and held a number of other prestigious positions. His writings include A Life of Bishop Ken (1888), translations from Greek and Latin classics, and poetry and hymns. Plumptre was also a member of the committee that produced the Revised Version of the Bible1. Enjoy!
Thy hand, O God, has guided Thy flock from age to age; The wondrous tale is written, Full clear, on every page; Our fathers owned Thy goodness, And we their deeds record; And both of this bear witness, “One Church, one Faith, one Lord.”
Thy heralds brought glad tidings, To greatest, as to least; They bade men rise, and hasten To share the great King’s feast; And this was all their teaching, In every deed and word, To all alike proclaiming, “One Church, one Faith, one Lord.”
When shadows thick were falling, And all seemed sunk in night, Thou, Lord, didst send Thy servants, Thy chosen sons of light. On them and on Thy people Thy plenteous grace was poured, And this was still their message: “One Church, one Faith, one Lord.”
Through many a day of darkness, Through many a scene of strife, The faithful few fought bravely, To guard the nation’s life, Their Gospel of redemption, Sin pardoned, man restored, Was all in this enfolded, “One Church, one Faith, one Lord.”
And we, shall we be faithless? Shall hearts fail, hands hang down? Shall we evade the conflict, And cast away our crown? Not so: in God’s deep counsels Some better thing is stored: We will maintain, unflinching, “One Church, one Faith, one Lord.”
Thy mercy will not fail us, Nor leave Thy work undone; With Thy right hand to help us, The victory shall be won; And then, by men and angels, Thy Name shall be adored, And this shall be their anthem, “One Church, one Faith, one Lord.”
Today’s hymn comes from Georgiana M. Taylor (1847-1915). She was the daughter of an English Anglican priest and worked with the Young Women’s Christian Association. She also managed a home for young milliners and female clerks. Enjoy!
Seek ye first, not earthly pleasure, Fading joy and failing treasure, But the love that knows no measure, Seek ye first, seek ye first.
Seek ye first God’s peace and blessing; Ye have all if this possessing: Come, your need and sin confessing, Seek Him first, seek Him first.
Seek this first—be pure and holy; Like the Master, meek and lowly; Yielded to His service wholly: Seek this first, seek this first.
Seek the coming of His kingdom; Seek the souls around, to win them, Seek to Jesus Christ to bring them; Seek this first, seek this first.
Seek this first, His promise trying, It is sure—all need supplying— Heav’nly things—on Him relying— Seek ye first, seek ye first.
Today’s hymn comes from Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879), an English religious poet and hymnwriter. One of her most famous hymns is “Take My Life and Let It Be”. It was said, however, that this was her favourite hymn; it was found in her pocket Bible after her death1. Can you say today that you are trusting Jesus alone? I hope so! Enjoy!
I am trusting Thee, Lord, Jesus, Trusting only Thee; Trusting Thee for full salvation, Great and free.
I am trusting Thee for pardon; At Thy feet I bow; For Thy grace and tender mercy, Trusting now.
I am trusting Thee for cleansing In the crimson flood; Trusting Thee to make me holy By Thy blood.
I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead; Every day and hour supplying All my need.
I am trusting Thee for power, Thine can never fail; Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me Must prevail.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; Never let me fall; I am trusting Thee forever, And for all.
Today’s hymn comes from Charles Wesley (1707-1788). I hope these words cause your soul to arise close to God today with these truths; enjoy!
Arise, my soul, arise, shake off thy guilty fears. The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears. Before the throne my Surety stands, before the throne my Surety stands; my name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede; His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead, His blood atoned for all our race, His blood atoned for all our race, and sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on Calvary; they pour effectual prayers, they strongly plead for me. “Forgive him, O, forgive,” they cry, “Forgive him, O, forgive,” they cry, “Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”
The Father hears Him pray, His dear Anointed One; He cannot turn away the presence of His Son. His Spirit answers to the blood, His Spirit answers to the blood, and tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled, His pard’ning voice I hear; He owns me for a child, I can no longer fear. With confidence I now draw nigh, with confidence I now draw nigh, and, “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
Today’s hymn was written by Michael Saward (1932-2015), an Anglican priest and one of the Jubilate Group of writers, a publishing house that promotes the use of quality words and music in worship in churches across the world. Enjoy!
Christ triumphant, ever reigning, Saviour, Master, King! Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining, hear us as we sing:
Refrain Yours the glory and the crown, the high renown, the eternal name.
Word incarnate, truth revealing, Son of Man on earth! power and majesty concealing by your humble birth [Refrain]
Suffering servant, scorned, ill – treated, victim crucified! death is through the cross defeated, sinners justified. [Refrain]
Priestly king, enthroned for ever high in heaven above! sin and death and hell shall never stifle hymns of love. [Refrain]
So, our hearts and voices raising through the ages long, ceaselessly upon you gazing, this shall be our song. [Refrain]
Hymn of the Day 