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Hymn - O God, beyond our knowledge

O God, beyond our knowledge, time and space,
and yet within each person in this place;
we sing with grateful thanks and heartfelt praise
your love that warms and colours all our days.

You feel our deepest sorrow, fears and needs,
transform compassion to creative deeds;
you gently crumble long held rigid creeds;
replace with unimagined lively seeds.

You come in thunder, silence, ice and flame;
enrich the poor, make dancers of the lame;
in vain we try to keep you neatly filed;
ruler of realms, yet helpless human child.

We cannot comprehend what you have planned
but trust your wisdom and your gen’rous hand;
may we, with awe and joy, use what you give
that ev’rything in earth may truly live.

Lois Henderson, (2009)
Tune = CHILTON FOLIAT, WOV 566

 

 

Concluding thoughts

Our walk with God need never be a lonely walk, but a family occasion, taken in the company of God’s children. If we lag behind, there are others who will turn and offer words of encouragement, hold out a hand and offer assistance of stiles and other obstacles, share refreshment and help us from our knees when we stumble.
Our walk with God need never be a lonely walk, but a joyful experience, when, as along the path, others join us, attracted by the company of each other singing the same songs of praise that angels sing, following a path worn down by the tears and joy, and sacrifice.
Our walk with God is never a lonely walk, for God walks with us, on a path that leads to life.

[And our prayer is …]
For each step that I might take, be my guide, O Lord of life.
For each load that I might bear, be my strength, O Lord of life.
For each mountain I might face, be my power, O Lord of life.
For each river that might impede, be my safety, O Lord of life.
For each place where I might rest, be my peace, O Lord of life.
For each sunrise and sunset, be my joy, O Lord of life.

And as the Lord has strengthened us, let us go into the world to strengthen others.
As we have been blessed, let us go into the world to bless others.
As we have been loved, let us go into the world to love with compassion and grace.
So be it. Amen!

Postlude

Chorale Prelude on "Nun freut ench, libe Christen g'mein" (Dear Christians, one and all rejoice) - Matthias Weckmann (c.1616–1674).  The chorale tune underpins the whole composition.