Sacramental Hymns: Consecration of a Church 487-488

Consecration of a Church

487

All things are thine; no gift have we – J Whitter

All things are thine; no gift have we,
Lord of all gifts, to offer thee:
and hence with grateful hearts today
thine own before thy feet we lay.

Thy will was in the builders' thought;
thy hand unseen amidst us wrought;
through mortal motive, scheme and plan,
thy wise eternal purpose ran.

In weakness and in want we call
on thee for whom the heavens are small;
thy glory is thy children's good,
thy joy thy tender Fatherhood.

O Father, deign these walls to bless;
fill with thy love their emptiness;
and let their door a gateway be
to lead us from ourselves to thee.

488

Only-begotten, Word of God eternal – Latin 9^th Cent. / M Blacker trans

Only-Begotten, Word of God eternal,
Lord of Creation, merciful and mighty,
list to thy servants, when their tuneful voices
rise to thy presence.

Thus in our solemn feast of dedication,
graced with returning rites of due devotion,
ever thy children, year by year rejoicing,
chant in thy temple.

Here in our sickness healing grace aboundeth,
light in our darkness, in our toil refreshment;
sin is forgiven, hope o'er fear prevaileth,
joy over sorrow.

Hallowed this dwelling where the Lord abideth,
this is none other than the gate of heaven;
strangers and pilgrims, seeking homes eternal,
pass through its portals.

Lord, we beseech thee, as we throng thy temple,
by thy past blessings, by thy present bounty,
smile on thy children, and with tender mercy
hear our petitions.

God in Three Persons, Father everlasting,
Son co-eternal, ever-blessèd Spirit,
thine be the glory, praise and adoration,
now and for ever.