Faith & Worship

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" (Ephesians 2:8)

 " So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6,7)

" If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

" Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

 "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

 

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Sometimes small steps
seem like giant leaps
into the unknown
on this journey of faith.
But with you as guide
we need not fear,
for you know the path,
its beautiful views
and hidden dangers,
and you will keep us
out of harm’s way
until at last we see
our glorious destination.

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Gracious God, we thank you
that you can use these lives,
these imperfect lives, to fulfil
your purposes and become
the means through which
others might meet with you
and know your saving grace.
For the faith you have in us
and the roles prepared for us
we offer everything we are,
and everything we can become
through your love and power.

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Gracious God, increase our faith
and confidence, so when you call
our response is in the knowledge
that you will equip us for tasks
laid out before us, and together
we can sow precious seeds
into soil prepared and waiting,
that will, in your perfect timing,
blossom and produce much fruit.

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By faith
I gaze up to the heavens
and know
within its vastness
that this is your creation
planned and effected within eternity

By faith
I pluck an ear of corn
and know
within its symmetry
lies the chemistry of life
the potential of creation within my hand

By faith
I listen for your voice
and know
the whisper that I hear
breathed a world into existence
yet listens to the prayer within my soul

By faith
I strive to do your will
and know
the door that I approach
may lead me to shadows
where my roll is to become your light

By faith
I cling to your word
and know
the strength that I receive
has it’s source within the love
that is at the centre of all things

 

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Your love,
flowing within us,
living water
purifying
in that cleansing flow;
and our worship,
in sweet harmony
echoing
through the air as birdsong
at the dawning of this day.
Stream meets stream
and river flows,
emptying into Ocean's store.


Your grace,
offering to us
forgiveness,
liberty
from all that binds us;
and our prayers,
joining together,
rising
as a fragrant offering
to the heart of the divine.
Stream meets stream
and river flows,
emptying into Ocean's store.


Your call,
whispering to us,
offering
encouragement
on our journeying;
and our service,
the only response
we can give,
a willing sacrifice
to the Godhead, Three in One.
Stream meets stream
and river flows,
emptying into Ocean's store.

 

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You call us to service,
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this your world.

To open our eyes not only
to the beauty and love which you create,
but the injustice,
hate and suffering that mankind generates.

To open our ears not only
to the chattering of this coming week,
but the searching,
fears and questioning of all whom we shall meet.

To open our hands not only
to those we choose our lives to share,
but in welcome,
love and fellowship to all who you draw near.

To open our mouths not only
to speak platitudes and simple words,
But the truths you lay
upon our hearts Your Word for this your world.

You call us to service,
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this your world.

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loving God
your love be the centre
and the focus
of our lives

healing God
heal the hurts and wounds,
the scars that form
within and without

forgiving God
may we know forgiveness,
and being forgiven,
know release

liberating God
liberate our hearts and minds,
our faith and
our theology

restoring god
restore the damaged,
rebuild the broken,
make us whole

 

 

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Abba Father, you know me well,
Made in your image,
A part of your will,
You’ve seen my thoughts,
Know my words,
You’ve laid your hand upon me, Lord.

If I lay down in the dark of the night,
Closing my eyes
to shut out your light,
In my darkness
you’re there beside,
A loving Father, a hand to guide.

If I rise up on the wings of a bird
Soar to the heavens,
The depths of the earth,
Mountain or sea,
High or low,
There’s nowhere to hide, nowhere to go.

There’s no hiding place
from the presence of your Spirit.
No hiding place
From the searching of my heart,
No hiding place
From the hand that’s there to guide me.
For wherever I am,
be it near or far,
Wherever I am,
is the place where you are.

 

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Jesus,
I am not a poet
or musician,
but
I have written
a song of praise
in my heart
and in the quietness
of this moment
I shall share it with you,
in the certain knowledge
that any imperfections
will be made perfect
in the simple act
of opening my heart,
and singing

 

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God of Grace
In whom I put my trust
Be my rescuer when sins ensnare
The liberator of my soul
The still small voice that says
‘Be free’

God of Love
In whom I put my trust
Be my joy and comfort at all times
The source of all my thoughts and words
The still small voice that says
‘Rejoice!’

God of Peace
In whom I put my trust
Be my tranquillity in times of turmoil
The steadying hand in raging seas
The still small voice that says
‘Be calm’

God of Power
In whom I put my trust
Be my confidence when faith is challenged
The sword and armour that protects
The still small voice that says
‘Be strong!’

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I arise today,
embraced in the arms
of God the Father,
empowered by the strength
of God the Spirit,
immersed in the love
of God the Son.
I arise today,
in the company
of the Trinity,
Father, Spirit and Son.
I arise today

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By faith I know
you are there with me
in my sleeping and in my waking.
By faith I know
you will protect me
in my going out and my returning.

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Into the daily cycle of our lives
when all seems well
with us and with the world,
when our yoke is easy
and the burden light,
You break in,
and scatter our complacency.

Into the daily cycle of our lives,
when we are comfortable
and at our ease,
when the fire is lit,
but eyes are closed,
You break in,
and challenge our dependency.

You break into
our daily prayers,
humble hearts,
lay souls bare,
You break in.

You break in,
You break in,
when defences are down,
with an Angel’s shout,
or the quietest sound,
You break in,
You break in.

And we change,
and all things change,
when you break in.

 

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It is a wonderful truth,
that you have already walked
the path that we now follow,
known hardship, temptation and suffering.
And with that knowledge deep in our hearts
we can follow you in confidence,
and when difficulties arise,
listen for your footfall

 

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When our faith is weak
grant us wisdom.
When our body is weak
grant us strength.
When our journey is long
grant us perseverance.

 

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on
top of
a mountain
it seems easier to
reach out and touch you.
when we descend to the valley
and the clamour of our ordinary lives
remind us that you are no further away than
when glimpsed in a moment of sublime isolation.

 

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As I adventure with you today
be the compass that guides me,
the light that shines on my path,
the only one I follow.

As I adventure with you today
be the word that encourages,
the hand that reaches out,
each time I stumble.

As I adventure with you today
let me glimpse our destination,
and appreciate the places,
through which you lead me .

As I adventure with you today
be the strength I need to follow,
and as the day draws to a close,
let me rest in your embrace.

 

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When the journey is hard
strength is failing,
we lose the path,
stumble
or fall,
you raise us up,
refresh,
encourage,
give hope.
You enable us
to continue on our way,
climb mountains,
or simply follow
day by day.