This is a Day of Celebration: new verse: thanksgiving.

Picture the scene: a glorious summer's day (at last!) here in the East of England. A glorious bike ride literally 'beside still waters' (The river Cam at its most tranquil). Perhaps not surprising that the ideas for a new verse of This is a Day of Celebration flowed quickly and easily. The full praise song, together with its tune can be found by clicking here

This is a day for thanking Jesus

For all the beauty of the earth,

For all the wonders that surround us,

For love, for joy, for mirth.

I was particularly delighted that the last line fell into place very readily. I simply love the idea that fun and laughter are part of God's provision for our well-being and part of His 'Being' too.

The day after posting this, Pam and I were thinking about a barbecue to welcome our new Vicar - and realised that with a couple of very minor changes, this chorus could also be sung as a Grace before a meal. In that case, we'd sing

This is a day for thanking Jesus

For all the bounty of the earth,

For all the wonders that surround us,

For food, for love, for mirth.