Harvest Festival - 3

There were harvest celebrations at Crathie Kirk last Sunday. I have been fortunate in obtaining some of the notices from the pew sheet (the section in italics is from my own personal knowledge.)



This morning we are glad to welcome back a few old friends of this parish. Included in that number are several of The Queen’s Chaplains who, after this service, along with members of our Kirk Session, will formally present, to Her Majesty, the two holly trees which were planted in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation.

A number of individuals from within the parish will also play a part in the service, and of course, particular thanks are due to all those responsible for decorating the church so beautifully, and to those who have donated all the flowers and fresh produce. The fresh goods will be distributed locally, and the rest will be given to support the work of The Cyrenians in Aberdeen. (It is touching to know that Her Majesty The Queen provided many of the flowers and fresh produce from her own garden at Balmoral Castle. She will have given much joy to some members of the local community.)

Here is a hymn which was sung at Crathie last Sunday.

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Refrain

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.

Refrain

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.

Refrain

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Refrain

For each perfect gift of Thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

Refrain