As we start to use the new Songs of Fellowship hymn book
instead of the old Hymns and Psalms, I thought it might be good to remind
long-standing members and to introduce new members to a lovely Baptismal hymn,
the words of which are stuck into the front cover of the blue Hymns and Psalms
book. It would be a pity, I think, if we lost it.
I first heard this hymn about 25 years ago when I started
coming to Fulwood after attending the United Reformed Church across the road for
many years. At the time I had one teenager and one fast approaching teenage
years and I was very moved by the words of this hymn, especially those in the
2nd verse.
It was used in the Autumn for Emily Jean’s baptism after
I’d suggested it to Karen and Simian on one of my pastoral visits. We sang it to
the tune Blaenwern (Love divine all loves excelling) on that occasion, but it
was always sung to ‘Heavenly Father may thy blessings’ in the past and I
personally think it fits that tune better.
It was written by Rev Jim Stringfellow, but so far I
haven’t managed to find out anything about him.
Can any of you
shed any light on him for me please?
Veronica Frost
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1 Father,
may your Holy Spirit
Guide this
child into the truth;
Fill with
love and light his childhood;
Thrill
with high ideals his youth.
Show him
Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Prince of
Peace, and King of Love.
May he
cleave to Him for ever!
May he
live with Him above!
3 Now
baptise us, Holy Spirit!
For your
gifts and fruit we thirst!
In a
Church, by you made Christ-like,
May these
babes in Christ be nursed.
Make our
joy in Christ Infectious,
As with
Christ we serve the world.
Make our
life in Christ so winsome,
That our
children find our Lord! |
2 Father,
may your Holy Spirit
Guide
these parents through the years;
Help them
answer children’s questions;
Cope with
teenage storms and tears.
May their
home be rich with laughter;
Peace, in
daily worship, grow.
Give them
grace to train your children,
Make them
strong, and let them go!
The Revd. Jim Stringfellow |