0:00:02 > 0:00:06Today, we are celebrating 150 years of Scripture Union
0:00:06 > 0:00:08and everything they've done to introduce children
0:00:08 > 0:00:09to the Christian faith,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13and we'll be joining Her Majesty the Queen in this celebration.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Welcome to Songs Of Praise.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Everybody, including me,
0:00:41 > 0:00:45is very excited about the arrival of our guest of honour.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48CHEERING
0:00:50 > 0:00:51As our reigning monarch,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Her Majesty the Queen is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England
0:00:55 > 0:00:59and her personal Christian faith plays a central role in her life.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02ORGAN PLAYS
0:01:04 > 0:01:08The setting for this 150th celebration
0:01:08 > 0:01:10is here at St Mary's Church in Islington,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12close to where the charity began.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16And it's where all our music comes from today.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29As well as celebrating the past,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31today is also about the future,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35so there are lots of children from local schools in the congregation.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Our first hymn was written 50 years ago for the centenary of Scripture
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Union and gives thanks for God's faithfulness through the years.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48BAND PLAYS
0:05:27 > 0:05:33Scripture Union began here in north London in 1867, as dramatized
0:05:33 > 0:05:36by Christian actors Christopher Poch and Jonathan Maltz.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41It all started with the Bible -
0:05:41 > 0:05:44the Scriptures from which a union was formed.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Josiah Spiers, a 31-year-old office clerk,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51was an ordinary man with a desire to read the Bible.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55"Let the little children come to me.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56"Do not hinder them."
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Inspired by the words of Jesus,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03this ordinary man did something extraordinary.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07In fact, he did something radical for the year 1867.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11He opened the doors of 309 Essex Road, Islington,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13for a gathering of children.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15He had the desire to see them
0:06:15 > 0:06:18each develop a personal relationship with Jesus,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21the light of the world.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Speaking of a shining light, it's a marvellous day.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26To the beach, at Llandudno!
0:06:26 > 0:06:28TRAIN CHUGS
0:06:31 > 0:06:36For, all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40But...how can they be saved if no-one tells them?
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Next stop Llandudno!
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Sat at the beach at Llandudno,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Josiah made a declaration in the sand.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51God is love.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55And he invited all the children at the beach to decorate it.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56That's it, gather round.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58So what do you have for us today, Mr Spiers?
0:06:59 > 0:07:00How old are you, boy?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02I'm ten.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Erm, what are they feeding you up here?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08No...I have a story to tell you.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12New ideas were springing up.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17In 1892, two students from Cambridge University
0:07:17 > 0:07:21had come up with a novel idea - to create a boys' camp.
0:07:21 > 0:07:27Our plan is as follows - to collect as many in tents as possible.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31And to provide all the sports and amusement dear to the heart of boys.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34And whilst in the midst of these enjoyments,
0:07:34 > 0:07:39they shall learn more by example than by words.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41"Therefore, let your light shine before others
0:07:41 > 0:07:45"so they may see your good deeds and give glory to the Father."
0:07:45 > 0:07:48THUNDER RUMBLES
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Oh, dear. A storm's coming.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Best get inside. - BOMB WHISTLES
0:07:52 > 0:07:561914. A fatal shot sparks the war to end all wars.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00The world was plunged into a storm of darkness.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03But Scripture Union did not stand still and decided to print
0:08:03 > 0:08:07booklets of Bible notes for the British tommies on the front line,
0:08:07 > 0:08:13which led to the first issue of daily notes for adults in 1923.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15The Lord is my light and salvation.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17In whom shall I fear?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21But the world has changed in those years.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25How do we keep up with a generation that feels so disconnected?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Well, the message hasn't changed.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30That's it, children.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Write it out.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34"God is love."
0:08:34 > 0:08:35That's right, kids.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Write it out. "God is love."
0:13:45 > 0:13:47How to introduce children to Jesus remains a big
0:13:47 > 0:13:50challenge for Christians.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52This is Scripture Union's computer game, which takes
0:13:52 > 0:13:56children on animated adventures through stories from the Bible.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59But although Scripture Union has come a long way since its
0:13:59 > 0:14:05beginning in the 19th century, its message is still very much the same.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Tim Hastie-Smith is the national director and I asked him
0:14:08 > 0:14:11about the challenges the charity faces today.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14150 years ago, more young people were in church.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18That didn't necessarily mean they had any real understanding of God.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20And I think children outside of church,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23these days it's about 95% of children, young people,
0:14:23 > 0:14:24are not in a church,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27but I don't think that means they're closed to the love of God
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and it means, I suppose, sometimes a change of dynamic.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31The place we need to be is outside of church,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35finding new ways of making that love known, not waiting
0:14:35 > 0:14:38for kids to come into a building to find out what's going on there.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42It's through sports ministry,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45it's through finding neutral third places, if you like,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48and being there and being able to build relationship,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50because I don't think in the end that has changed.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Relationship and sharing God's love
0:14:53 > 0:14:56in many ways is much the same as it was 150 years ago.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58But in many cases it's about trying to find language,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01language that's appropriate and understandable
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and not sort of slipping into Christian jargon and cliche.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10The Queen is defender of the faith,
0:15:10 > 0:15:15so I asked Tim how important a role Christianity plays in her life.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18I think it's been shown in particularly her Christmas
0:15:18 > 0:15:21broadcasts. On a number of occasions she has referred to her own faith.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I know just how much I rely on my own faith
0:15:26 > 0:15:29to guide me through the good times and the bad.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Each day is a new beginning.
0:15:33 > 0:15:39I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right,
0:15:39 > 0:15:44to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings
0:15:44 > 0:15:46and to put my trust in God.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Last year, to mark her 90th birthday,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53we were allowed to produce a little booklet which included
0:15:53 > 0:15:56some of those quotations and she did an introduction to that.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59And it also spoke about how she found extraordinary
0:15:59 > 0:16:01strength in her faith.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04And while she's very private about these things, as one would expect,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06I think her faithfulness shines through,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09and I think we find the fact that for so many young people
0:16:09 > 0:16:11it's the faith of their grandparents,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14lived over decades, through good times and in bad,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17which actually testifies to the reality of the love of God.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21And what does it mean to the community,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23but especially the children?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26They're so excited to have the chance to sing for her
0:16:26 > 0:16:30and with her and she is the grandmother of the nation,
0:16:30 > 0:16:31the great-grandmother of the nation,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33and I think they find that inspirational.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40One, two, three, four!
0:16:40 > 0:16:43# Your love will last forever
0:16:43 > 0:16:46# It's like a mighty river
0:16:46 > 0:16:49# That flows and flows for ever
0:16:49 > 0:16:51# Never stopping
0:16:52 > 0:16:55# Your awesome love protects me
0:16:55 > 0:16:58# When I sin Your love corrects me
0:16:58 > 0:17:01# You're faithful to direct me
0:17:01 > 0:17:04# Always to your love
0:17:10 > 0:17:16# And when I think of all you've done
0:17:16 > 0:17:20# There's no love greater than this
0:17:22 > 0:17:28# You freely gave your precious son
0:17:28 > 0:17:32# To die for all my sins
0:17:34 > 0:17:37# Your love will last for ever
0:17:37 > 0:17:40# It's like a mighty river
0:17:40 > 0:17:42# That flows and flows for ever
0:17:42 > 0:17:46# Never stopping
0:17:46 > 0:17:49# Your awesome love protects me
0:17:49 > 0:17:52# When I sin Your love corrects me
0:17:52 > 0:17:54# You're faithful to direct me
0:17:54 > 0:17:58# Always to your love
0:18:04 > 0:18:10# And when I choose to disobey
0:18:10 > 0:18:14# You lead me back to your truth
0:18:16 > 0:18:22# You show the fullness of your love
0:18:22 > 0:18:26# By making me like you
0:18:28 > 0:18:31# Your love will last for ever
0:18:31 > 0:18:34# It's like a mighty river
0:18:34 > 0:18:37# That flows and flows for ever
0:18:37 > 0:18:40# Never stopping
0:18:40 > 0:18:43# Your awesome love protects me
0:18:43 > 0:18:46# When I sin Your love corrects me
0:18:46 > 0:18:48# You're faithful to direct me
0:18:48 > 0:18:52# Always to your love... #
0:19:02 > 0:19:04One, two, three, four!
0:19:04 > 0:19:07# ..Your love will last for ever
0:19:07 > 0:19:10# It's like a mighty river
0:19:10 > 0:19:12# That flows and flows for ever
0:19:12 > 0:19:16# Never stopping
0:19:16 > 0:19:19# Your awesome love protects me
0:19:19 > 0:19:22# When I sin Your love corrects me
0:19:22 > 0:19:24# You're faithful to direct me
0:19:24 > 0:19:28# Always to your love
0:19:28 > 0:19:31# Your love will last forever
0:19:31 > 0:19:34# It's like a mighty river
0:19:34 > 0:19:36# That flows and flows for ever
0:19:36 > 0:19:40# Never stopping
0:19:40 > 0:19:43# Your awesome love protects me
0:19:43 > 0:19:46# When I sin Your love corrects me
0:19:46 > 0:19:49# You're faithful to direct me
0:19:49 > 0:19:51# Always to your
0:19:51 > 0:19:55# Always to your
0:19:55 > 0:20:01# Always to your
0:20:01 > 0:20:03# Love. #
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Yeah!
0:20:20 > 0:20:24Introducing children to God is also central to the work
0:20:24 > 0:20:27of one of the world's most popular authors - CS Lewis,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Pam Rhodes met his stepson Douglas Gresham
0:20:32 > 0:20:34in St Jude-on-the-Hill in London.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Douglas Gresham's mother and CS Lewis fell in love
0:20:39 > 0:20:42when he was eight years old.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43I was born in '45.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe had been published by then
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and as soon as the book was something my mother thought that
0:20:49 > 0:20:51I could understand, she read it to us
0:20:51 > 0:20:53and, of course, I was absolutely fascinated.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56I was going to meet this character who was on speaking terms
0:20:56 > 0:20:59with High King Peter of Narnia and the great lion Aslan.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01So I went to see this great man and expected him
0:21:01 > 0:21:04to be wearing silver armour at least and probably with a coronet
0:21:04 > 0:21:05on his head and carrying a sword.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08And, of course, he was a stooped, balding, professorial gentleman
0:21:08 > 0:21:10in the most shabby clothes I've ever seen on a human being,
0:21:10 > 0:21:14with long, nicotine-stained fingers and teeth.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16But he was, in fact, a great comic.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18He was very funny to be with.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21And very soon, I lost an illusion and gained a very good friend
0:21:21 > 0:21:24and later a fabulous stepfather.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Did his faith shape yours?
0:21:27 > 0:21:31I learnt from Jack that it is possible
0:21:31 > 0:21:33to simply do what Jesus said.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Just concentrate on what Jesus
0:21:37 > 0:21:40tells us, reported in the Gospels, and try to do it.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42And it changes one's entire outlook on life.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I mean, there were students, quite a few of them at Oxford,
0:21:45 > 0:21:46whose educations were saved when they ran
0:21:46 > 0:21:50out of money by a cheque suddenly being slipped under their door,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53anonymously, from some law firm in London,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and it wasn't till many years later they discovered that this
0:21:56 > 0:21:57was coming from CS Lewis.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03And the Narnia books are said to be full of Christian symbolism.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Was that his intention from the start?
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Not initially, I don't think.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10He said that he started writing this story for children,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12suddenly Aslan leapt into the scene
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and dragged the whole of the rest of Narnia with him.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17So I think what he was saying obliquely when
0:22:17 > 0:22:21he said that, is that the Holy Spirit of God then inspired the books.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24And at a time in the world when perhaps Christianity is not
0:22:24 > 0:22:27appealing to young people as it has done in the past,
0:22:27 > 0:22:31how important is your stepfather's message?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33I think it's absolutely vitally important.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37I think he's one of the few people who can explain to young people,
0:22:37 > 0:22:42through his fiction, exactly why we should follow Christ,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45and the first thing one has to realise is that he's real.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Aslan is a representation of Jesus Christ.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52And one soon learns that wherever one is, whatever one's doing,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54the Holy Spirit of God is right there with you.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56If you do stupid things, he's watching.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59And he's grieving sometimes at what we do.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01If you do the right thing, he rejoices.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03And it just works.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06One of the main reasons that I am a committed Christian is
0:23:06 > 0:23:07because it works.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Dear Lord, we thank you for the staff of Scripture Union
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and their passion to see your good news shared
0:23:21 > 0:23:23with the next generation.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Help them to be like your son, who didn't spurn children,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29but welcomed them with open arms.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31We ask this in your name. Amen.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Everlasting God, strengthen and sustain all those who
0:23:38 > 0:23:43volunteer on our holidays, residential events and missions.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46We pray that with patience and understanding,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50they may continue to love and care for your children.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52We ask this in your name. Amen.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Dear Lord, we thank you for our sovereign Queen Elizabeth.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01We thank you for her servant heart, as she is reminded of your son
0:24:01 > 0:24:05who came to serve rather than to be served.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Encourage us by her example to serve one another as you have
0:24:07 > 0:24:09called us.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12We pray that you will give her strength to carry out her duties
0:24:12 > 0:24:15and uphold her with your Holy Spirit in the years ahead.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17We ask this in your name. Amen.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Dear Lord, we pray especially for the children
0:24:22 > 0:24:25and young people who are yet to experience the difference
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Jesus can make to the challenges and adventures of life.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Teach us to make the most of every opportunity to
0:24:32 > 0:24:34share your good news.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Give us the strength not to stay silent, but to be the salt
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and light in our communities and families.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Help us bring hope to the hopeless,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45to be the light in the dark,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47a lamp on a stand for all to see.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50We ask this in your name. Amen.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51- CONGREGATION:- Amen.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith is one of our most celebrated modern hymn
0:25:00 > 0:25:04writers, with credits including Lord, For The Years
0:25:04 > 0:25:06and Tell Out, My Soul.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Scripture Union has been part of his life since childhood.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Scripture Union first came into my life when I was a schoolboy.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19I think through a Christian Union at school, they probably
0:25:19 > 0:25:23introduced me to Bible reading notes and I began to read the Bible.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29The introduction to Scripture led to him being inspired to become both
0:25:29 > 0:25:33a minister and a prolific writer.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I think the link between hymns
0:25:35 > 0:25:39and the truth of the Scripture is really very important,
0:25:39 > 0:25:45so that it's as I listen to the lesson in church or as I read the
0:25:45 > 0:25:51Bible daily, something will strike me and become a starting point.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56And Timothy has written a brand-new hymn for this very special occasion.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00It began with Tim Hastie-Smith, the director of Scripture Union,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03writing to me three or four years ago -
0:26:03 > 0:26:05he was well ahead of the game -
0:26:05 > 0:26:09saying that having written Lord, For The Years for their centenary,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12could I write a hymn for their 150th?
0:26:12 > 0:26:14And I was delighted to try.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17When I am asked to write, I always say, "I will try,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19"but I may not succeed."
0:26:20 > 0:26:25And so I set to work and, again, because it's an anniversary,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29you want to thank God for the past and look at the present
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and pray about the future, which this text does.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37And here it is for the very first time.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15May God's holy word be a light to your feet
0:30:15 > 0:30:16and a lamp to your path.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21May Christ, the son of righteousness,
0:30:21 > 0:30:23shine upon you,
0:30:23 > 0:30:27scatter the darkness from before your path
0:30:27 > 0:30:31and make you ready to meet him when he comes.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35And the blessing of God Almighty,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
0:30:39 > 0:30:43be amongst you and remain with you always.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- Amen.- Amen.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Well, our time here in Islington is nearly up and it's been
0:30:52 > 0:30:56a real privilege joining Her Majesty the Queen in the celebration.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Our final hymn is one that sums up in many ways
0:30:59 > 0:31:03the mission of Scripture Union and, indeed, the church -
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Tell All The World Of Jesus.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Until next time, goodbye.