Hymn suggestions for Sunday 30 March 2025

4th Sunday of Lent

The Methodist Church in Britain's Lent theme this year is Soul Food. Worship resources for each week of Lent follow the lectionary readings as below. They include specially selected hymns and songs from Singing the Faith and elsewhere, as well as an opening liturgy, prayer ideas and activities. The theme for Lent 4 is 'Soul Repair'.

For 'Soul Repair', we have published with permission Jaroslav Vajda's hymn, O dearest Friend, set to the tune of Londonderry Air.

Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading

For Mothering Sunday suggestions, see below.

Alternative Mothering Sunday resources and additional hymns.

Joshua 5: 9-12

Here, on the threshold of a new beginning (StF 684)
You showed us mercy when we were in darkness (StF 488)

Also consider hymns for Harvest e.g. Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise (StF 127); To thee, O Lord, our hearts we raise (StF 129)

Psalm 32

Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme

Jesus – the name high over all (StF 357)
Happy are they who find the grace (StF 500)
Thou hidden source of calm repose (StF 366)
Your ceaseless, unexhausted love, unmerited and free (StF 438)

2 Corinthians 5: 16-21

Come and see, come and see (StF 270)
‘Forgive our sins as we forgive,’ you taught us, Lord, to pray (StF 423)
I am a new creation, no more in condemnation (StF 553)
Love divine, all loves excelling (StF 503)
When I was lost you rescued me (StF 367)

Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32

Amazing grace – how sweet the sound (StF 440)
Bread of Life, Truth Eternal, broken now to set us free (StF 578)
Come, let us sing of a wonderful love (StF 443)
Come, my table is a meeting place (StF 581)
Father we have sinned in word, and deed, and thought (StF 422)
Hark my soul! It is the Lord (StF 426)
Now I have found the ground wherein sure my soul’s anchor may remain (StF 561)
Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast (StF 598)

Or for Mothering Sunday

Alternative Mothering Sunday resources and additional hymns.

Exodus 2: 1-10

Best of all is God is with us (StF 610)
*He’s got the whole world in his hand (StF 536)

or 1 Samuel 1: 20-28

God of Eve and God of Mary (StF 119)
Lord, in our lonely hours (StF 616)
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186)

Psalm 34: 11-20

God, beyond our dreams, you have stirred in us a memory (StF 496)
*Sing praise to God who reigns above (StF 117)

or Psalm 127: 1-4

Sacred the body God has created (StF 618)

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7

Earth’s creator, everyday God (StF 45)
*He’s got the whole world in his hand (StF 536)
Lord, I come before your throne of grace (StF 58)
*Sing praise to God who reigns above (StF 117)
We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (StF 640)

or Colossians 3: 12-17

All praise to our redeeming Lord (StF 608)
As we gather in your presence now (StF 609)
*God grant us words to speak (StF 647)
God with us: Creator, Father (StF 8)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour (StF 504)

Luke 2: 33-35

Eternal God, you love’s tremendous glory (StF 3)
Father I place into your hands the things I cannot do (StF 519)
For the beauty of the earth (StF102)
Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us (StF 594)
Mary and Joseph came to the Temple (StF 229)
*Remembering Mary (website only)
*Through long years of watchful waiting (StF 232)
*We gladly celebrate and praise (StF 120)

(Also see our notes on the festival of Candlemas, which marks the bringing of Jesus to the temple for baptism.)

or John 19: 25-27

*God grant us words to speak (StF 647)
*Remembering Mary (website only)
*Through long years of watchful waiting (StF 232)
*We gladly celebrate and praise (StF 120)