For times when we have work to do

Authors:
Themes:
Scriptures:
  • Genesis 2:15
  • Ecclesiastes 2:24
  • Ecclesiastes 6:16-20
  • Jeremiah 9:24
  • Matthew 10:28-30
  • Mark 10:43-44
  • 1 Corinthians 1:31
  • 1 Corinthians 11:1
  • Philippians 2:7
  • Colossians 3:17
  • Colossians 3:23
Book Number:
  • 1217

For times when we have work to do
we thank you, gracious Lord:
for challenge and for dignity,
for purpose and reward.

2. Our skills, our time, our energies,
the things we plan or make—
may all the duties we perform
be done for Jesus’ sake.

3. To those with whom we share the task
and those we serve each day,
may all our labours illustrate
our humble Master’s way.

4. We face the strains of drudgery,
the lures of compromise:
for pressure, make your people strong;
for conflict, make us wise.

5. Though work be hard or hard to find
we thank you, gracious Lord,
that you remain our dignity,
our purpose, our reward.

Genesis 2:15, Ecclesiastes 2:24, 6:16-20, Colossians 3;17,23, 1 Corinthians 1:31, 11:1, Philippians 2:7, Mark 10:43-44, Matthew 10:28-30, Jeremiah 9:24

MARTIN E LECKEBUSCH © 2013 KEVIN MAYHEW LTD
Martin Leckebusch

Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Work and Leisure

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Tune

  • Ravensbourne
    Ravensbourne
    Metre:
    • CM (Common Metre: 86 86)
    Composer:
    • Mawson, Linda

A look at the author

Leckebusch, Martin Ernest

b Leicester 1962. King Edward VII Coll, Coalville, Leics; Oriel Coll Oxford; BA/MA (Maths) 1983; Brunel Univ Middx, MSc (Numerical Analysis) 1984. He worked for 16 yrs as a Computer Systems Programmer, followed by 5 as Support Specialist. In 2006 he was redirected to the role of Technical Design Authority for the IBM mainframe platform within Lloyds TSB. He has belonged to various CofE and Free Churches, including 6 yrs as a Methodist Local Preacher (1992–1998); currently a member of Kendal Rd Baptist Ch, Longlevens, Gloucester since 2001. His hymn-writing began in 1987; 144 hymn texts were collected in More than Words, 2000, some of which had appeared in earlier books including NewStart (1999, 6 hymns in a total of 71), Sing Glory (14 hymns), and Praise! A collection of 150 texts based on the Psalms, for singing to well-known tunes, appeared in 2006, giving a total of 275 texts by then in print. 6 of these are in Carol Praise (2006). In that year he also joined the Text Advisory Group (TAG) of Jubilate Hymns which he later chaired, and he also consults regularly with representatives of the more informal songwriters; he is active in the Hymn Soc, and lives with his family in Gloucester. In the 2005 edn of A Panorama of Christian Hymnody, which features 2 of his texts, Paul A Richardson notes their ‘conservative theology, biblical imagery and structural ingenuity’, adding that ML ‘advocates a restoration of hymnody in traditional forms to those who, like him, are in the charismatic wing of the church’. He is also keen to explore some issues often neglected by contemporary writers. By 2010, which saw the publication of a further collection Never Let the Songs End, the total number of his hymns had exceeded 400. Nos.270, 278, 285, 322, 381, 586, 604, 665, 756, 770, 771, 841, 856, 882, 892, 926, 936, 942, 1023, 1029, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, 1123, 1124, 1125, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1167, 1168, 1170, 1171, 1173, 1176, 1177, 1182, 1194, 1196, 1197, 1202, 1206, 1207, 1208, 1217, 1240, 1243.