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ORDINATION OF PRIESTS
God of grace your love has chosen
These Christ’s Church now brings to you;
In their calling to the priesthood
Keep them faithful, humble, true;
Let the Spirit’s quickening power
Rest on all they are and do.
God of pilgrim new beginnings
Walk with those ordained today;
Journeying on with water’s signing
Let their lives Christ’s cross display;
Be with them in their high calling,
Servants of Truth’s life and way.
God whose breathed out Word is powerful
Stir up by the Spirit’s blaze
Those who preach that Word’s good counsel
Setting out Christ’s truth and ways;
May their own lives duly ordered
Show forth Christ in joy and praise.
God who gave life’s Bread of Heaven
Nourish us with sacred sign;
May each priest who serves Christ’s Table
Help Christ’s faithful people dine,
Fed by faith in him and strengthened
Through Love’s holy bread and wine.
God whose shepherd-heart beats strongly
For your world in all its needs,
May these under-shepherds gladly
Serve with love and Christ-like deeds;
Help them seek and bring the straying
To Christ’s flock which safely feeds.
God of grace pour down the Spirit
Fill Christ’s Church with life and power;
From your Father-heart’s rich blessing
Cause fresh love for Christ to flower;
Let his church renewed and shining
Light with hope this world’s dark hour.
© Alan Brown July 2002
Tune: Westminster Abbey
