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COMMENT: HYMN - GOD'S UNITY FOR HIS CHURCH AND THE WORLD
This was written for Trinity Sunday when my local church is saying good-bye to a Finnish student who has been with us for a year. She asked that 'Finlandia' be sung at her final service, so I wrote some new words for it. I wrote to stress Unity at three levels: The Unity within God himself - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Unity of all who are 'in Christ' God's purpose of unity for his divided world I saw the Christian Family united with God, called to be united among themselves, and chosen as God's instrument for the reconciliation of the world. While it was written for a local and once-off situation, I worded it in such a way that it could be used much more widely.

HYMN - GOD'S UNITY FOR HIS CHURCH AND THE WORLD
Suggested Tune: Finlandia, by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Metre: 11,10,11,10,11,10. 1. Almighty Lord, the Father, Son and Spirit, Three-person God, united three-in-one; Pour forth your unity in every nation Upon all those for whom your only Son Is Lord of all. So shall all unbelievers See in such lives what Jesus Christ has done. 2. We thank you Lord for Christians of all nations Whose witness to our Risen Lord is strong. All one in Christ, we celebrate our friendships, That space and time can't break - however long. Such joy and unity is but a foretaste Of our eternal praise to you in song. 3. So send us out, encouraged by your Spirit Into the world that you have made and love. Among all nations, cultures, creed and classes We'll go to reconcile and bring your love. Then will the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Be praised on earth, and in the realms above. John Richards, 2003, Copyright waived for users of Help for Christians.co.uk