Hymn Celebrating New Ministry

As I begin a new ministry in the community of Uxbridge, I am aware again that these are very holy and sacred moments of God's grace as we seek God's wisdom in discerning how we can be the church in this day and age. The only thing we can rely on is God's Spirit to guide us as we intentionally and sincerely seek out direction for the way forward.

Ministry involves how we relate to each other in the church and offer support, encouragement and opportunities to grow in our Christian faith. But the gospel calls us just as Jesus commissioned His disciples to go out into the world around us, our neighborhoods, and seek to proclaim the gospel by engaging with people and building relationships.

How we do that can be as varied as the many cities and communities where we find ourselves. Ministry, although there are some parts that apply in all places, is very contextual. What is it that would be most faithful in Uxbridge? What is God calling us as the church to do in our community? Where is God already active that we can join in what God is up to? Where is the mission field possibilities on our doorstep and along our main street?

These are questions we always need to be paying attention to. And especially at specific points along our vocational journey as the church, like the beginning of a shared ministry together.

Early in September we will have a liturgy to celebrate the covenant we are making to work together here at St. Paul's, Uxbridge. I felt moved to write a hymn that speaks of the new beginning that builds on the faithfulness of the past as we venture into the future. Our ministry together is a calling to be transformed ourselves as we seek transformation experiences of God's grace in the neighborhood where we serve. This is our mission; this is our mandate; this is the gospel lived out right here in our parish and in Uxbridge.

The words that I have written are set to one of my favorite hymn tunes, "Woodlands" with a meter 10 10 10 10.

I pray that as we sing it on the evening of September 7, that we may feel that joy which comes from a spirit filled commitment to following Jesus and living out the kingdom message in who we are and in all we do here at St. Paul's.

O God, You Call us Faithfully to Live

Tune: Woodlands
Menter: 10 10 10 10

O God, you call us faithfully to live
To be transformed by your abiding grace
We come with trust our ministry to thrive
To share the gospel hope within this place.

Abundantly, we’re blessed with gifts to serve
To minister and witness to the Word
To faithfully the hope of Christ preserve
A trusting spirit in us always stirred.

May this beginning build on faithfulness
The past foundations laid in time gone by
Accept our opportunity to bless
God’s Spirit is on whom we will rely.

The covenant we make with joy this day
To work together to discern God’s will
The future guided as we come to pray
And find delight in all that we fulfill.

Text: copyright, The Rev. Canon Mark Kinghan, 2017. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.

Last Word of Jesus

"The Words of Jesus from His Cross"

The world today echoes the last words of Jesus from His cross. There are so many relevant and current examples where people are crying the same thing in the world around us. The need for forgiveness and reconciliation; the desire for the peace of the New Jerusalem; the need for community support and encouragement; the feeling of being defeated and alone in the midst of stress and struggle; the lack of fresh water to drink; the desire to finish and accomplish what needs to be done; and the final surrender when there's nothing else left to do.

I felt moved to write a reflection for this year's Good Friday liturgy, based on the last words of Jesus from the cross, that reflected the contemporary injustices and experiences of pain, grief, hurt and distress. Injured voices need to be heard through the words from the cross; our hurting creation needs to be heard in a world where many are thirsty.

As I wrote the reflection, I wanted to have a hymn that spoke to each of the words from the cross, as well as the overarching theme that they are spoken today and in all time, from generation to generation. These words came to me as a renewed call to hear the voices of Jesus today crying and pleading for all of God's creation, including you and me. Through them, those cries aren't silenced or dismissed, but validated so we can hear them, and respond to them out our faithfulness as disciples of Jesus Christ.

It is set to the tune Melcombe with the meter LM.

If you would like to receive the reflections that go with it, please e-mail me at mark.kinghan@gmail.com

These Words of Jesus from His Cross

Tune: Melcombe
Meter: LM

Jesus the gospels each record                                     

Profound and holy every word

The sayings of your final hour;

As ages pass lose not their pow’r.

Father forgive what they have done

Impending death of your own Son

They do not know the part they play

Unjust and yet so true today.

In paradise you’ll be with me

A life I promise will be free

Lose not your faith, your trust and hope;

As with each death you learn to cope.

Woman, to you I give a son

Who’ll care for you as I have done.

Relationship of trust and grace

I call you each to now embrace.

My God you have forsaken me

Hanging upon this ghastly tree

I’m all alone as death comes near

The crowds, they mock me as they cheer.

I’m thirsty as my mouth feels dry

In these last moments as I die

I’m parched as water is denied

Throughout the ages I have cried.

All is accomplished, it is done

Good news proclaimed for everyone

My sacred calling is complete

From age to age most bittersweet.

There is no more for me to do

My spirit now I give to you;

These words are spoken ev’ry day

By people caught up in the fray.

The words of Jesus from His cross

Are cried today with so much loss

Reality lived age to age

All the injustice we engage.

Text: copyright, The Rev. Canon Mark Kinghan, 2017. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.