Lord grant us faith so we may know
That you are always near,
The faith that gives us room to grow
And banishes all fear.

The faith that lets us move aside
Those mountains raised by doubt,
Lest they our view of God should hide
And block his sunshine out.

The faith so, when life's storms assail
And toss our fragile boat,
We trust our Lord to calm the gale
And keep us all afloat.

The faith so, though we cannot see
Our Saviour with these eyes,
We know he died to set us free
And from that death did rise.

So grant us faith Lord, help us show
Your love to all mankind
Then ev'ryone your peace will know
And life eternal find.

Mel Austin

OUR OBLIGATION (86.86D)

We are in Christ one fam-i-ly
Lord may it ever grow
And from all evil keep us free
May we your peace all know.

To you dear Lord our thanks and praise
For those who went before
Pray help us Lord build all our days
On their foundation sure.

O help us Lord to hear your Word
To study your Good News
And spread it wide till all have heard
And thus your way may choose.

While in our wide community
Lord make us sensitive
So others' needs we all can see
And helping hands will give.

And may we always reach out wide
A welcome may we show
So those without shall come inside
And they your love will know.

To do these things may we receive
The Holy Spirit true
For by its pow-er we believe
Though weak we much can do.

So send the Spirit, give us skill
To do your work below
May we in faith all do your will
As through this life we go.

So hear us Lord your fam-i-ly
As we to you all sing
For we would live eternally
With you our God, our King.

Mel Austin

WISH FOR LIFE'S JOURNEY

May roads you take be decked with flow'rs
Your rain that falls but gentle show'rs
And in your skies no storms appear
Your days bring laughter, scarce a tear.

May birds sing melodies on high
To lift your soul as you pass by
From summer sun may trees give shade
Your pathway pass through leafy glade.

May love and beauty round you flow
And peace within forever grow
May each new day bring something new
To learn, discover or to do.

For ev'ry minute, ev'ry day
May God be with you on your way
To walk with you close by your side
Your true companion, helper, guide.

Mel Austin

THE WHOLE PICTURE

O what an awe inspiring sight,
Unseen by light of day,
Which on a clear and cloudless night
The heavens will display.

The Southern Cross, the Milky Way,
The sparkling panoply,
Until the coming of the day
What beauty we can see.

We watch the moon traverse the sky
Like clockwork wax and wane,
Though it may fade, we can rely
On moonlight once again.

Then comes the breaking of the dawn
The sun begins to rise,
While heralding a brand new morn,
It dazzles earthbound eyes.

It's only time and point of view
Determine what we see
For all the glory comes anew
But patient we must be.

And whether day or whether night
Sometimes dark clouds appear
Which dim the sight of God's great light,
Be sure that they will clear.

Mel Austin

SEASHORE MESSAGE

The mighty breakers pound the shore
Then turn to foam and are no more,
Allow the waves life's storms create
Through sands of time to dissipate.

We hear the surf that crashes in
With such a cacophonous din
Become a murmur in the night
To calm and soothe before first light.

Observe the seabirds in the sky
And watch them swooping, soaring high,
Above your cares with them fly free
To let your heart God's glory see.

Our ship of life we oft must sail
Through stormy seas and raging gale,
Await the gentle, cooling breeze
That lets us sail our ship with ease.

Mel Austin

A LITTLE AT A TIME

When troubles seem too much to bear
Do not give up all hope
Take as it comes each single care
And pray with that to cope.

Our yesterdays have passed away
And what is done is done
Tomorrow is another day
Just live the present one.

Unless their tombstone you can see
Remember that from strife
No one on earth is always free
Be glad that you have life.

To plot life's course in just one day
Can really overwhelm
So sail one leg along the way,
Ask God to take the helm.

Mel Austin

OUR CHURCH (hymn tunes 86.86)

We thank you for your gift our Church
And faith that grows anew,
The one true peace for which we search
Is only found through you.

Of people this our Church is made
Not bricks which will not last,
The memory will never fade
Of saints from ages past.

And thank you for our parish here
With friends and neighbours true,
Who meet in fellowship so dear
To praise and worship you.

(optional verse)
So bless this parish Lord we pray
Our Church of Holy Cross,
Make all our actions ev'ry day
Christ's gain and satan's loss.

And bless your people here O Lord
Pray keep us in your care
For we all pray with one accord
Your way and love to share.

And so your Church on earth may grow
Lord help us play our part
Till all mankind your love will know
With Christ in ev'ry heart.

Mel Austin