Page 8 Aldersgate Sunday; Do all the Good

Hymn Texts

Do All the Good You Can

Do all the good you can,

to each and every man,

woman and child.

This is the way to live,

acting with those who give,

so others then can live,

life to the full.

Do all the good you can,

by all the means you can,

this is our prayer.

So, look for ways that meet,

poverty to unseat,

hopelessness to defeat,

life to secure.

Do all the good you can,

in all the ways you can,

to all you can.

Let us be colour blind,

accept all God designed,

to all be loving, kind,

this is our prayer.

Do all the good you can,

during your whole lifespan,

this is God’s plan

for you and all who seek,

to make this life complete,

sharing with all you meet,

faith, hope and love.

Words © Norman E Brookes

CCLI Id.7114150

Tune: Moscow 806 Hymns & Psalms, 61 in both

the Australian Hymnbook and WOV.

NOTE: This hymn is based on the saying below which is

often attributed to John Wesley. Historians tell us

that whether Wesley said this in its present form is

debatable but there are certainly echoes of the

phrases in Wesley’s sermons and elsewhere.

“Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.”

Aldersgate Sunday

Lord, we thank you, that your Spirit
wrestles long and hard with us,
seeking to awake our spirits
to a life of faith and trust.
Thus it was with two whose witness
we remember on this day,
John and Charles, who found assurance,
found you loved them, come what may!

Hearts’ assured they quickly broke free,
from an all consuming quest,
to be sure of their salvation,
their own souls’ eternal rest.
Freed they were to think of others:
thus, responding to God’s call
they began to live the Gospel,
preach the message, God loves all!

God’s great love, they soon discovered
transcends buildings, classes, creeds,
this love reaches to the nations,
touches every human need.
Thus the Wesleys sang the Gospel,
preached at mineheads, fields, and squares,
till all England heard the message,
and rejoiced to know, God cares!

We today, heirs of the Wesley's,
in this South Pacific* land,
can be captive to traditions
that no longer Christ has planned.
When in bondage help us break free,
when in blindness give us sight,
let us make this land your parish,
God of love and Lord of light.

Words © Norman E. Brookes
12 in WH&V Tune: Austria MHB 228

CCLI Id.5952416

Australian HB and WOV 374(i)

NOTE: For Northern hemisphere congregations please

change line two of the final verse to:

* "in this rich and diverse land"

God’s Grace

God’s grace it warms the heart within,

the spirit it sets free.

From ever searching for the truth,

to worship joyfully.

This grace renews and calls us forth,

in catholic spirit true,

to link our hearts with all who seek

God’s gracious work to do.

By grace true holiness of life

will spread throughout this land,

till justice, mercy, truth and love,

are found, as God has planned.

Grace makes the world our parish true,

this world for whom Christ died,

so all that limits perfect love

may here be set aside.

But best of all, God is with us!

this promise we proclaim,

when by God’s grace which dwells within,

we work to spread Christ’s name.

Words Norman E. Brookes

CCLI Id. 5952045

Tune: Kilmarnock MHB 108; 490 in the Australian HB and in WOV.

NOTE: a reminder of the key aspects of

John Wesley's theology.