05/01/2026
Elizabeth Smith has written words for many fine hymns—some in our hymnals, many not. Here’s one appropriate for this coming Sunday, as we celebrate The Baptism of Jesus. And don’t forget the wonderful “Aussie-context” depiction of the scene of the baptism painted by Alan Robinson, which is on the cover of the current issue. He’s happy if you want to use the image in worship this Sunday!
Elizabeth Smith writes:
I wrote this hymn text 30-odd years ago, after a semester on the letter to the Hebrews with the wonderful Professor Bill Countryman. You could also sing it to AURELIA (think: "The church's one foundation") or EWING (think: "Jerusalem the golden" - though the range of that one is an octave and a fifth, perhaps part of why we don't sing it so often these days).
Many of us will be celebrating the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, this First Sunday after Epiphany. Here’s a hymn text that connects Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of his public ministry, with our own baptism, and our ministry. The tune “Thornbury” works well (think: “Your hand, O God, has guided”).
1 All praise to you, Christ Jesus,
our brother, priest, and God.
You are our stories' ending,
our first believing word.
Though all our life is shaken,
we stand within your grace;
once for all time, you brought us
into the holy place.
2 You heard the voice from heaven,
God's word of gracious love;
you saw the Holy Spirit
descending as a dove,
and, through the Jordan River,
where John preached and baptised,
you entered into Israel
as God's long-promised Christ.
3 Through the baptismal waters
God brings the church to birth,
makes us a holy people,
and teaches us our worth.
There is no turning back, now
that we are born anew;
stay with us, Jesus, guide us,
and give us work to do.
4 Give us the will to listen
to all God has to say,
to grow into the blessing
of our baptismal day.
Send us to tell this nation
God's reign is close at hand,
and justice, joy, compassion
will flourish in our land.
words: © Elizabeth J. Smith 1956-
music: Together in Song 456 THORNBURY
may be reproduced under licence
One Licence song # 126517
CCLI song # 5127272
