All things bright and beautiful: celebrating St. Francis, all creatures great and small














 Voices Found 111 and 112

All things bright and beautiful

Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all


Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,

he made their glowing colors, he made their tiny wings.

Refrain

The purple headed mountain, the river running by,

the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky.

Refrain

The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,

the ripe fruits in the garden, he made them every one.

Refrain 

He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell

how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.

Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all


Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) 

Music: Royal Oak, melody from The Dancing Master, 1686 or

            All Things Bright and Beautiful, W. H Monk (1823-1889)

Cecil Frances Alexander wrote this song to teach children about The Apostles Creed.  It illustrates the second phrase of the Apostles Creed that recognizes God as "creator of heaven and earth." It is included in her popular collection Hymns for little children, published in London in 1848. In mid career she married the Reverend William Alexander who was a bishop and later primate of all Ireland. While the tune Royal Oak familiar to Americans is included in The Hymnal 1982, Voices Found offers a tune be W. H. Monk that is used more in UK.





Reflection: Voices Found 102

Creator of all time and space, we read your image on each face, Great Spirit of the cosmic whole, you made us, body, mind, and soul.

We thank you for the human mind, in mystic harmony designed, for word and image dream and thought, for lessons learned and answers sought.

O God of planet, moon, and sun, we wonder knowing what you've done, that you befriend the human race, and fill our lives with love and grace.

For miracles as large as space, as small as cells, as deep as grace, we offer you our thanks and praise, and pledge to serve you all our days.

Words: Ruth Duck

Music: Conditor alme siderum, plainsong Mode 4, acc. Bruce Neswick


Meditation: Thank you Creator God  for  all things bright and beautiful, the miracles of life.



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