Communion Song: 'Come Among Us Risen Jesus'

The song celebrates the bread and wine of the Risen Lord and can be sung to the lovely traditional  Scottish Tune which has been set to ‘The Mingulay Boating Song’ **

Come among us, Risen Jesus,

pour your Holy Spirit on us

as we gather round your table

taking bread and drinking wine

Bread of life, which ever strengthens

wine his blood, our sweet refreshment:

by our Saviour, freely given,

sacrifice, for you and me.

Double click on the image below to get a printable score

To find other poems, meditations and hymns for LENT, HOLY WEEK and EASTER, Click Here

At the time of posting this was Dedicated to friends-in-Jesus in The Ukraine: that still feels appropriate in September 2014 and still so in September 2015.

On the morning of publication we greeted The Day of Resurrection a little after sunrise in the grounds of the ruins of Denny Abbey, which has been a Benedictine Abbey (C12th), A Preceptory of the Knights Templars (C13th) and a House of Poor Clares (14^th). The early morning service included members of two Baptist churches, a Salvation Army Corps and our two local Anglican (C of E) churches. So between the history and the inter-church morning fellowship we are reminded of the breadth of Christ’s church.

But the international dimension was not represented. So I would like to dedicate the following song to those friends in Ukraine who I have noticed have recently been visiting The Cross and The Cosmos’ more regularly than usual.

Ukranian Friends, here in the UK, we understand only what the media shows us of the complexities of your country’s present situation, but we pray for all of those of you who long for a lasting peace in your land.

**You can listen to The Corries singing The Mingulay Boating Song at This link to sense how the tune fits the communion song above. 

You Fill All My Senses

Here's a poem that could be sung to the lovely tune for John Denver's 'Annie's Song'. 
(If you should decide you want to perform this as a song you would, of course, have to seek the permission of the copyright holders of the tune first). 

You fill all my senses

with breathtaking beauty,

with the peace of your presence

and your wonderful ways;

with your gifts of great healing

and the love that surrounds us:

Lord, let me love you

through all of my days.

Yes, let me love you,

let me give my life to you,

let me breathe in your Spirit,

let me shine with your love;

let me follow your teaching

let me well serve my neighbour

that I may live with You

in heaven’s abode.

You loved us so dearly

that you sent your Son, Jesus

to live here amongst us

to share all our ways:

He was born in a stable

to the purest of maidens,

He was worshipped by shepherds

as angels gave praise.

When shown his great goodness,

we could not bear the contrast

of his pureness of loving

and our shameful intents:

so we planned and we plotted

the cruelest of killings

and high on a coarse cross

that lovely life spent

Father forgive me

my part in the slaughter

of Jesus, my lover

who died through my sin:

but though I’m unworthy,

I know that same Jesus

will lead me to heaven

and welcome me in.

To find other poems, meditations and hymns for LENT, HOLY WEEK and EASTER, Click Here

Psalm 51

One of the great penitential psalms in a newly written (2014), metric format. 

Also last verse altered in 2020 to reflect the possibility of post-pandemic change

Have mercy God, on me, in your great goodness,

with that same mercy, heal my waywardnesses;**

show me my faults. Yes! all my untowardness.

Cleanse me from sin, Lord.

My guilt is clear, it cannot be defended.

against you only have I oft offended:

when just conceived, sin swift my heart attended,

spare me from wrath, Lord.

Now inward truth is what you most require,

cleanse me and purge me like refining fire.

Released from sin; with gladness, me inspire

to praise Your Name, Lord.

Turn from my sin, forgive my every wrong.

Come, mould my heart, and let my spirit long

for help and wisdom, that I may be strong

in all your ways, Lord.

Then to the wicked, I might teach those ways:

deliver me and strengthen all my praise.

No sacrifice to you I have to raise,

save my poor heart, Lord.

Within me build your justice and your grace,

show all your people your belov-ed face.

Now help us build a just and righteous place,

giving you honour.

**Please note, I have changed the wording here from that in the stave below to make it a little less awkward. TT

Double click on the image to obtain as printable score (with thanks to Andrew Collier)

You can listen to the tune on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMcS44uE9qQ

played by Andrew Remillard

Other material for Holy Week and Easter can be found here

Foot-washing: Grime.

Foot-Washing: Grime

Grime from rough-hewn, dusty paths

settles relentlessly between the toes

of calloused, sandalled feet,

grown sticky with the sweat of effort

of scrambling up a bank,

slithering round puddles

or hastening on the way,

close-knit friends, to meet.

Grubby, gritted, the feet of the baffled twelve,

before whom Jesus substitutes his garments for a towel,

takes a bowl:

and then –

- and then,

the Creator of the Cosmos

falls upon his knees,

casts away the last vestiges of power

and washes every fetid toenail,

hardpad heel and ankle raw,

with a  tenderness, surpassing any servant’s,

as the ‘punishment of slaves’ lurks outside the door.

Listen to this poem read by the author: Click Here

Other poems, hymns and meditations for Lent, Holy Week and Easter can be accessed here