Many of you will be familiar with the hymn 'Blessed be the tie', a very deep affirmation of the strength that comes when believers truly love each other. As so often there is a story behind the words. In the mid-eighteenth century, John Fawcett was a young Baptist preacher in poverty-stricken Wainsgate near Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, when he received an invitation to come to a large and influential church in London. On the day of departure, with his family’s possessions loaded onto a waggon, the distraught congregation begged him to stay – and he did, passing over the opportunity to minister in more affluent surroundings. In a remarkable demonstration of how precious these godly ties were, he remained faithfully ministering there for the rest of his life. May we draw fresh inspiration from the words he penned concerning the strength of our own relationships. As you will hear, I have written my own words to the tune, but with an occasional reference to the powerful original words of the hymn: God of hope and Lord of life, dearest lover of my soul You alone so worthy, You alone so dear. this is my ardent prayer: Jesus, make me evermore like You. No one else can fill my heart, no other passion satisfy; I am captured by Your beauty, and blessed by the tie that binds our hearts as one. Spirit-strong and Spirit-sure, Spirit-fired and Spirit-led, let all I am bow to serve and worship You. There is no splendour compared to knowing You, No lasting glory but Yours alone I yield my life to worship You Close companion, Shield, Defender, You confer such care on me. You reveal Yourself, dear Jesus, in speaking moments deep within my soul, that leave me trembling in awe and adoration, longing just to fill Your heart with joy. One thing I ask of You, One thing I desire: That you would open my eyes to see You in Your splendour, I want to gaze on Your beauty all the days of my life, and so become more like You, my Lord. Justin Coldstream wrote this musical arrangement for us, weaving in the theme of a popular folk song from Languedoc, (La Langue d’Oc), in the south of France. I had wondered if it might be possible to blend the two together, and he found a way to do it! Sue Harris reads the words I have written, and was joined by Thomas, Susanne and Julia Herzog, Ann Seifer, Alex Koderisch, Gabriele Kröhnert and Peter and Shirley Richards in this recent recording. These are the original words of the hymn: Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. 2 Before our Father's throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. 3 We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. 4 When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again. 5 This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day. 6 From sorrow, toil, and pain, and sin, we shall be free; and perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity.