United Reformed Church Northern Synod

Dying to Live

Sowing for God’s kingdom -

Worship Resources: Hospitality & Diversity

Hymn - Open the door
Tune: Shepherds look east

Open the door and let Christ in,
too long we’ve held his Spirit fast,
living past glories, old tradition,
stifling renewal, ignoring our mission.
Open the door and let Christ reign
in his church’s life again.

Open the door and welcome in
all who  seek  God’s way of truth.
Jesus makes none of our conditions.
Love does not offer harsh impositions
but, from the richness of God’s grace,
freely offers her embrace.

Open the door! The church belongs
not inside its sheltering walls
but where life’s drama, joy and sorrow
draw out our loving today and tomorrow.
Open the door – not ours to hoard
treasure found in Christ our Lord.

Open the door! Let songs of joy
mingle in the noisy street.
Let people know that Christ is living
now in his people,  their  serving and giving.
Open the door! Let deed and praise
glorify him all our days!

© Stuart J Brock    2012

 

Carol Dixon has submitted two versions of her hymn ‘Celebrating ministry’.  She writes "I was asked to write the original ‘Celebrating women in ministry’ for a special service at High Howdon commemorating the ministry of Ella Gordon, the first Presbyterian woman minister.  It was a lovely service, attended by the Moderator of General assembly and the General Secretary, plus Arthur McArthur (who had been Ella’s minister when she candidated for the ministry), and the congregation also dedicated a beautiful window in her memory.  I set it to ‘Water of Tyne’ because Ella, though a Scot by birth, was an ardent Tynesider in her adopted home.  Afterwards I adapted the hymn to cover the ministry of all God’s people and it has been used at elders’ ordinations etc."

Hymn & Music: Celebrating Women's Ministry

Hymn & Music: Celebrating the Ministry of all God's people

 

 

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