with hymns written by Charles Wesley

The service will proceed unannounced.

Congregation, please sit for the Choir introit and Choir hymns.

Organ Music: Air - Samuel Wesley (son of Charles Wesley)

Choir introit: Lead me, Lord – music by S. S. Wesley (grandson of Charles Wesley)

Scripture readings: St. Matthew, Ch. 22, vv 35-40, & Ch. 28, vv 16-20

Hymn: 4 Christ, whose glory fills the skies (Tune: Ratisbon)

The arms of Love that compass me : The early years

Hymn: 233 O Thou who camest from above (Tune: Hereford – S. S. Wesley)

Wrestle and fight and pray : The pursuit of holiness

Choir hymn: 243 Come, O thou Traveller Unknown vv 1,2,3,4 (Tune: Wrestling Jacob – S. S. Wesley)

While the tempest still is high : The wilderness

Hymn: 123 Jesu, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly (Tune: Aberystwyth)

My chains fell off, my heart was free : The Aldersgate experience

Choir hymn: 124 O Love Divine, how sweet Thou art! (Tune: Cornwall – S. S. Wesley)

Hymn: And can it be that I should gain (Tune: Sagina)

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood!
Died he for me who caused his pain!
For me who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father’s throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

And spread through all the earth abroad the honours of Thy name : The travelling preacher

Choir hymn: My Heart is full of Christ (Tune: Colchester – S. S. Wesley)

My heart is full of Christ, and longs
Its glorious matter to declare!
Of Him I make my loftier song,
I cannot from His praise forbear;
My ready tongue makes haste to sing
The glories of my heavenly King.

Fairer than all the earth-born race,
Perfect in comeliness Thou art;
Replenished are Thy lips with grace,
And full of love Thy tender heart:
God ever blest! we bow the knee,
And own all fullness dwells in Thee.

Gird on Thy thigh the Spirit’s sword,
And take to Thee Thy power divine;
Stir up Thy strength, almighty Lord,
All power and majesty are Thine:
Assert Thy worship and renown;
O all redeeming God, come down!

Come, and maintain Thy righteous cause,
And let Thy glorious toil succeed;
Dispread the victory of Thy cross,
Ride on, and prosper in Thy deed;
Through earth triumphantly ride on,
And reign in every heart alone.

Hymn: 125 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Tune: Lyngham)

Bold I approach the Eternal Throne : The final years

Hymn: 243 Come, O thou Traveller Unknown v 5 (Tune: Wrestling Jacob – S. S. Wesley)

Prayer

Hymn: 149 Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim (Tune: Paderborn)

John Wesley’s Blessing

Organ Music: Gavotte - Samuel Wesley