TURNING 47
A poem-like reflection for the Uniting Church in Australia’s 47th birthday.
Permission given for use in worship if helpful.
A poem-like reflection for the Uniting Church in Australia’s 47th birthday.
Permission given for use in worship if helpful.
So we’re turning 47
Hey, that’s almost middle-aged!
Time for taking stock of journeys done
await God’s future-missioned page
Fresh words and deeds from days gone by
are ones to give God praise
Yet words and deeds – fresh, Spirit-called
what are they in these days?
Middle age brings wisdom
Means learning from when we’ve strayed
Means ‘fessing up when Christ is not centre
When we’ve taken centre stage
We’ve failed to live as covenant people
Yes, we lament our wayward ways
Yet again and again you call us back, Lord
Such your longing for us, your grace
Hey, that’s almost middle-aged!
Time for taking stock of journeys done
await God’s future-missioned page
Fresh words and deeds from days gone by
are ones to give God praise
Yet words and deeds – fresh, Spirit-called
what are they in these days?
Middle age brings wisdom
Means learning from when we’ve strayed
Means ‘fessing up when Christ is not centre
When we’ve taken centre stage
We’ve failed to live as covenant people
Yes, we lament our wayward ways
Yet again and again you call us back, Lord
Such your longing for us, your grace
Seems its time that garment new we weave
With love abounding in every seam
Each colour being woven in unity, peace
May that be our living, much more than a dream
May our striving and our praying
our justice-seeking, cross-bearing
May our proclaiming unending in Jesus’ name
be signs of hope that we are caring
So as we move as pilgrims into age 48
there’s been, O God, to celebrate
May our worship give you all glory, God
May our witness grow, accelerate!
May our service bless our communities, land
May we risk Jesus’ way as one, hand-in-hand
Being reconcilers in and through Jesus
With the gift of the Spirit pulsing life
Yes! Wherever she pleases
May our voices as one be keenly raised
as you Holy God, are celebrated, praised!
David MacGregor
© 19 June 2024
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