I love Thy church, O God! Her walls before Thee stand, If e'er to bless Thy sons For her my tears shall fall, Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways, Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Jesus, Thou Friend divine, Our Saviour and our King, Sure as thy Truth shall last, To Zion shall be given The brightest glories earth can yield, And brighter bliss of heaven. From the Latin of St. Ambrose by Timothy Dwight [1752-1817] GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY TO ALL PEOPLE ANGELS from the realms of glory, Now proclaim Messiah's birth; Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. Christ Our Example in Suffering 3549 Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, Worship Christ, the new-born King. Sages, leave your contemplations, Worship Christ, the new-born King. Saints, before the altar bending, Worship Christ, the new-born King. Sinners, wrung with true repentance, Worship Christ, the new-born King. James Montgomery [1771-1854] CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE IN SUFFERING Go to dark Gethsemane, Ye that feel the tempter's power; Your Redeemer's conflict see, Watch with Him one bitter hour; Turn not from His griefs away, Follow to the judgment hall, Shun not suffering, shame, or loss,- Calvary's mournful mountain climb; God's own sacrifice complete! Early hasten to the tomb Where they laid His breathless clay; All is solitude and gloom; Who hath taken Him away? Christ is risen! He meets our eyes! Saviour, teach us so to rise! James Montgomery [1771-1854] "JUST AS I AM” Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, Just as I am, though tossed about, Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; O Lamb of God, I come! "Blest Be the Tie That Binds Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am-Thy love unknown Just as I am, of that free love, The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come! Charlotte Elliott [1789-1871] 'BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS" BLEST be the tie that binds Our hearts in Jesus' love; The fellowship of Christian minds. Is like to that above. Before our Father's throne We pour united prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims, are one, We share our mutual woes, When we at death must part, Not like the world's our pain; From sorrow, toil, and pain, And sin, we shall be free; And perfect love and friendship reign Throughout eternity. John Fawcett [1740-1817] "IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST I GLORY" IN the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time, Gathers round its head sublime. When the woes of life o'ertake me, When the sun of bliss is beaming Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, Peace is there that knows no measure, In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time, All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. John Bowring [1792-1872] "ABIDE WITH ME" ABIDE with me! Fast falls the eventide; Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; |