NEW BEGINNING

1. Give us a new beginning where we can start again.
So many things are broken that only you can mend.
Your presence can revive us,
the touch of your embrace.
We walk in deepest darkness,
— show us your loving face.

2. Such beauty in a flower,
such glory in the sky;
and yet our lives unravel
no matter what we try.
Such constant disappointment
when dreams are crushed once more,
when truth is rarely spoken,
and peace turns into war.

3. O come to us, Lord Jesus,
we’re fearful and distressed.
The earth and heaven tremble
and nothing is at rest.
O come and make a new world
where tears are wiped away,
where love is like the bright sun
that rises ev’ry day.

2003 Words © Robin Mann.
Music: Hans Leo Hassler 1564-1612

This rich tune has been used for many songs. Best known is ‘O sacred head now wounded’. Our congregation (St Stephen’s, Adelaide) was going through a very bad time in 2003. I wrote these words for the first Sunday in Advent, but they seem to resonate at any time. There are always problems, difficulties we can’t overcome. And so we pray ‘Give us a new beginning’. Luther suggests we begin each day asking for forgiveness for wrongs done, & asking for a new start.

ALWS 29/5/24

In May 2023 we travelled to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, seeing work supported by Australian Lutheran World Service. Dorothy and I are Ambassadors for the ALWS programme, Lives You Touch. We are encouraging people to leave money in their will for the work of ALWS. We committed to leave a third of our will many years ago and hope many others can touch lives in this way.

Last year we visited churches in SA, Vic, Qld and WA with Jonathan & Julie Krause promoting the cause of ALWS.

Coming up soon:

* Nuriootpa (St Petri) Saturday June 22, 4 pm

To be confirmed:
Bordertown July 28,
Everton Park (Qld) August 17,
Canberra August 24

Looking forward to seeing you at one of these events