There are a few variants of this one, which is to be found in BHB, MP, CH4 and a whole host of other older hymnbooks.

Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
and make our hearts thy home;
descend with all thy gracious powers;
O come, great Spirit, come!

Come as the light: to us reveal
our emptiness and woe;
and lead us in those paths of life
where all the righteous go.

Come as the fire, and purge our hearts
like sacrificial flame;
let our whole soul an offering be
to our Redeemer's name.

Come as the dew, and sweetly bless
this consecrated hour;
may barrenness rejoice to own
thy fertilizing power.

Come as the dove, and spread thy wings,
the wings of peaceful love;
and let thy church on earth become
blest as the church above.

Come as the wind, with rushing sound
and pentecostal grace,
that all of woman born may see
the glory of thy face.

Spirit divine, attend our prayers;
make a lost world thy home;
descend with all thy gracious powers;
O come, great Spirit, come!

Andrew Reed (1787-1862) CM

This morning I've been searching for hymns/songs for Sunday which is kind of "Pentecost Part Deux" as I make a bridge between Pentecost last Sunday and using the BMS Undefeated resource next.  I found some gorgeous old hymns (alert - I may be digging out the old GREEN Baptist Hymnbooks on Sunday as I found two lovely ones that didn't make the cut for BPW). 

I also found this one, in Kid Source...

The Holy Spirit is a 'he', not an 'it' (not an 'it')

The Holy Spirit is a 'he', not an 'it' (not an 'it')

The Holy Spirirt is a 'he', how would you feel if you were he

And ev'rybody in the church called you 'it' (called you 'it')

Steve Burnthorpe, (c) Daybreak Music

Nice idea but actually wrong.  I'm not sure when the translation from the Hebrew and Greek first rendered the Spirit as male, but it is a mis-translation that is not sustainable once we learn that ruach, pneuma, sophia are all feminine words.  I totally get what the song writer is trying to achieve, but it's flawed.  So, let's attempt a version that won't offend those who struggle with feminine language for God, but which is authentically rooted in scripture:

The Holy Spirit is Sophia, not an 'it' (not a 'it')

The Holy Spirit is Ruach, not a 'it' (not a 'it')

The Holy Spirit is Pnuema, how would you feel if it were you

And ev'rybody in the church called you 'it' and not your name?

This month-long event is now underway - and we are offering no less than six contributions ranging from a kiddies' beach party to philosophical debate to story-telling to choral communion to cupcake decorating.  Should be something for everyone.  We will also be 'cross-selling' other events that are attractive to our visitors and participating in events offered by other churches.

Mission as hospitality

Mission as welcoming the stranger

Mission as worship

Mission as community engagement

Mission as salt and light

Mission as having fun

Mission as showing the Outrageous Generosity of our Big-Hearted God

Find out more here

We are venue 25... if you are nearby do drop in to any of our events and say 'hi'

Among my holiday snaps are a few of signs that caught my attention for one reason or another...

This one was seen at Manchester Airport on a series of blus plastic boxes arranged, so far as I could tell to catch water seeping through the ceiling/roof due to some sort of leak.

It appealed to my odd sense of humour, making me wondering if this was the Mancunian response to the drought that is affecting so much of the UK?

This one was on a hoarding of a building site in Vienna.  I liked it as it reflected the theme that ran through my research work, and my views on the place of church history in the thinking and theologising of the present in order to shape our future.  In Vienna, old buildings were being restored for the benefit of a new generation and beyond.  The English isn't great, but the message is a good one.

From Hungary, a selection in a park... and in Vienna, with the polite multi-lingual notice I failed to snap saying in English "please do not step on the grass"... looks like some captions are required!

Phewf it is H_O_T and poor Holly does not know what to do with herself - she keeps finding the cool patches of floor and tries to sleep away the day.

So, today I have been investigating various intriguing things to buy for a her further indulgence.

Arriving this week should be....

• a cat fountain, which hols 3 litres of water which is recircualted, aerated and filtered
• a cat scratching 'wave' in an attempt to distract her from the living room carpet (which may be legally mine and taxable as a benefit in kind but it still needs to be protected from pussy cats!)
• a selection of cat grass, cat-mint and other cat-euphoria-inducing plants to grow and locate around the place for her to nibble

Oh yes, I ordered some groceries for myself too!