Page 1 New Beginnings; Creation's Song; How shall we live?
Hymn Texts
How shall we live?
How shall we honour God’s gift of creation?
How shall we live on this planet, our home?
How shall we live bringing peace to our neighbour?
We cannot do it, alone, on our own.
Christ is the one at the heart of creation,
Christ comes to help us make sense of this life,
he lifts our eyes to behold our Creator,
calls us to living in peace, not in strife.
Christ is the one with a love for this planet,
seen in the stories he told day by day,
Speaking of springs, and of vines, and of lilies,
shaping the values we need for life’s way.
Christ is the one reaching out to our neighbour,
breaking the barriers of prejudice, greed,
Christ is the one who embraces all children,
He is the one whose example we need.
Christ is the one at the heart of creation,
Christ is the one who cares for this earth,
Christ is the one who can break down the barriers,
Drink from his spring and so bring hope to birth.
Words © Norman E Brookes
CCLI ID 6162119
Tune: Christus est unum, composer Jeremy Whimster
see Music 4.
Alt. tune: Epiphany Hymn in Hymns & Psalms 700 (ii)
Creation’s Song
Spinning in God’s wondrous cosmos,
sapphire jewel we call Earth.
Seeming strong and yet so fragile,
place of nurture, growth, and birth.
Home to life in all its facets,
forests green to oceans blue.
Earth gives birth to many species,
plants and fauna, peoples too.
Now this jewel needs our tending,
nurture, care, like none before,
till clear lakes send sparkling rivers
on their way to ocean’s shore.
Called to care for God’s creation,
we seek wisdom for this task.
Let us with God’s earth be gentle,
let creation sing at last.
Words © Norman E Brookes
CCLI Id.7261779
Tune: All for Jesus WOV 327
God of New Beginnings
O God of new beginnings,
Creator, Spirit, Lord,
be present in this moment,
be worshipped and adored.
We stand upon a threshold,
seek wisdom for this hour,
that ministry and mission,
Your Spirit may empower.
Our past is rich with hist’ry,
lives, lived in love and faith.
We hold these memories precious,
affirm your signs of grace.
To build upon that hist’ry,
to venture to the new,
take risks of faith and courage,
these Lord, we seek to do.
So, bind us now together,
in ministry and faith,
enlarge our Christian vision,
make us true signs of grace.
Take from us every blind spot,
give us warm open hearts,
inspire us by your Spirit,
commitment, hope, impart.
Words © Norman E Brookes
Tune: Aurelia MHB 701,
CCLI ID 7034722