Universalis

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Hymns from different Christian Traditions - 6

As we are meant to be charitable to our neighbours this week, I had better include a photo of a church in Lancashire. Obviously, as I am Yorkshireman, this goes a little against the grain. I had wanted to have 'O'er heathen lands afar thick darkness broodeth yet' as my chosen hymn - but thought better of it!

This is a photo of Lancaster Methodist Church - so we must have a Wesley hymn - but which one? I have chosen a favourite in the Chapel of the Resurrection - the Easter hymn - Love's redeeming work is done. Charles Wesley lived between 1707 and 1798.



Love's redeeming work is done;
Fought the fight, the battle won:
Lo, our Sun's eclipse is o'er!
Lo, he sets in blood no more!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal,
Christ has burst the gates of hell;
Death in vain forbids his rise;
Christ has opened Paradise.

Lives again our glorious King;
Where, O Death, is now thy sting?
Dying once, he all doth save;
Where thy victory, O grave?

Soar we now where Christ has led,
Following our exalted Head;
Made like him, like him we rise;
Our the cross, the grave, the skies.

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven!
Praise to thee by both be given:
Thee we greet triumphant now;
Hail, the Resurrection thou!

It wont be long before we are singing this hymn. Easter Sunday is exactly two months away!

2 comments:

John the organist said...

Here's a top favourite of mine with that lovely tune "Savannah" which just breathes life and joy! Nice picture too. How are you finding the Week of prayer materials this year? I think they are better than usual.

Peter Simpson said...

Yes, I agree, they are not bad! We are hosting 'Songs of Praise' this evening at St Thomas Aquinas, Ham with all the local churches. We are singing nine hymns from different seasons of the Church's Year. It should be a great occasion. I am 'acting' as Aled Jones!