Children’s hymns feature in this week’s programme, including Tell me the stories of Jesus, and Jesus, tender shepherd, hear me.
Aokautere Community Church, Palmerston North Photo: Robyn Jaquiery
SONG: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
Artist: St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir, Sydney
Words/Music: Joseph Scriven/Charles Converse
Recording: Startel STARCD 1005
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
SONG: LEAD US, HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD US
Artist: Sheffield Cathedral Choir
Words/Music: James Edmeston/Friedrich Filitz
Recording: Priory PRCD 713
Lead us, heavenly father, lead us
o'er the world's tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our father be.
Saviour, breathe forgiveness o'er us;
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us;
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
yet unfearing, persevering,
to thy passion thou didst go.
Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy;
love with every passion blending
pleasure that can never cloy;
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.
SONG: TELL ME THE STORIES OF JESUS
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: William Parker/Frederick Challinor
Recording: Hyperion 112104
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the love-light of Jesus' face.
Show me that scene in the garden, of bitter pain.
Show me the cross where my Saviour for me was slain -
sad ones or bright ones, so that they be
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
SONG: JESUS, TENDER SHEPHERD, HEAR ME
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir)
Words/Music: Sarah Duncan/Trad
Recording: Hyperion 112104
Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me,
Bless thy little lamb tonight;
Through the darkness be Thou near me,
Watch my sleep till morning light.
All this day Thy hand has led me,
And I thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou hast clothed me, warmed and fed me,
Listen to my evening prayer.
Let my sins be all forgiven,
Bless the friends I love so well;
Take me, when I die, to heaven,
Happy there with Thee to dwell.
SONG: DAISIES ARE OUR SILVER
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Jan Struthers/Kenneth Finlay
Recording: Hyperion 112104
Daisies are our silver, buttercups our gold:
This is all the treasure we can have or hold.
Raindrops are our diamonds and the morning dew;
While for shining sapphires we've the speedwell blue.
These shall be our emeralds– Leaves so new and green;
Roses make the reddest rubies ever seen.
God, who gave these treasures to your children small,
Teach us how to love them and grow like them all.
Make us bright as silver: Make us good as gold;
Warm as summer roses , let our hearts unfold.
Gay as leaves in April, clear as drops of dew–
God, who made the speedwell, keep us true to you.
SONG: ALL MY HOPE ON GOD IS FOUNDED
Artist: Choir of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland
Words/Music: Joachim Neander trans Robert Bridges/Herbert Howells
Recording: Private CD812
All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew,
me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.
Pride of man and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray his trust;
what with care and toil he buildeth,
tower and temple fall to dust.
But God's power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.
God's great goodness aye endureth,
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendour, light, and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
new-born worlds rise and adore.
Daily doth th’almighty giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.
Still from man to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ, his son.
Christ doth call
one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.
SONG: I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY
Artist: Choir of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Catherine Palmer (dir), Ronald Jordan (organ)
Words/Music: Horatius Bonar/Trad arr Vaughan Williams
Recording: Marquis 181175
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found him in a resting place,
and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one;
stoop down and drink and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk
till travelling days are done.
SONG: ABERYSTWYTH
Artist: Woolston Brass, David Gallaher (dir)
Music: Joseph Parry arr James McGregor
Recording: Private
SONG: THE SERVANT KING
Artist: BBC Radio 4 Daily Service Singers
Words/Music: Graham Kendrick
Recording: BBC
From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live
Refrain:
This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King
There in the garden of tears
My heavy load he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
'Yet not My will but Yours,' He said
Refrain:
Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered
Refrain:
So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone Him
Each other's needs to prefer
For it is Christ we're serving
Refrain:
