Andrew Pratt

Historic creativity – a hymn

Historic creativity – a hymn with allusions to Genesis 1 and Matthew 21:43

1         Historic creativity
           has brought us to this day,
           the ground of all we have or are
           has set our present way.

2         When cosmic forces from the past
           flung stars out into space,
           the scene was set for human life
           and super-human grace.

3         The lives we live within this frame
           give challenge, hope and choice,
           and how we walk upon this earth
           will shape the love we voice.

4         God, come and strengthen our intent
           to work with all our heart
           in co-creative acts of love.
           Now is the time to start.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948) © 2015 Stainer and Bell Ltd. Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 6 8 6
Tune: WESTMINSTER NEW
Created by HymnQuest.com

And there was light © Andrew Pratt 2026 (iPad art)

Each person bears the image of God’s face

Each person bears the image of God’s face – a hymn inspired by Philippians 2: 1-13

Each person bears the image of God’s face
and we have met and gathered here to praise:
a worldwide movement channelling God’s love
to live and demonstrate creative grace.

As Moses saw within a burning bush,
the ground of human being and all thought,
so when we come to worship in this place,
may dancing creativity be caught.

God’s grandeur over-brims to all the world,
the flaming, incandescent spirit’s power,
that if we will, transforms our lives to act,
to reach beyond this present time, this hour.

The narrative of God is where we live,
each action that we take now changes lives,
can bring to bear God’s gracious, hopeful love.
Praise God! through us God’s spirit moves and strives.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words: Andrew Pratt (born 1948) © 2009 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer.co.uk. Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 10 10 10 10 Tune: WOODLANDS
Created by HymnQuest.com

Morris Dancing, Great Budworth © Andrew Pratt

We have no licence through our faith – a hymn

We have no licence through our faith – a hymn – I hope that the image with this text speaks into our world today

1           We have no licence through our faith
              to carve a way of wrong,
              yet Christ has loved beyond the law,
              brought freedom to our song.

2           In foolishness we build again
              the walls that Christ broke down,
              no human law is needed now
              for judgement wears no frown.

3           For those that we would turn away,
              condemn by human law,
              are ones that Jesus held as friends,
              gave love and life and more.

4           So put away all arrogance,
              self-righteousness and pride,
              to greet with self-effacing love,
              the ones that some deride.

5           Then seeing Christ in everyone,
              there’s nothing to discuss,
              through loving action, humble word,
              they may see Christ in us.

Andrew Pratt © 2013 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.

Created by HymnQuest.com

Metre: CM Tune: ABRIDGE

God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension – a hymn of forgiveness and reconciliation

God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension – a hymn of forgiveness and reconciliation

God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension,
beyond the limits that we put on love.
God calls us to forgiveness and redemption,
sometimes the bar is just too high above.

When we are wronged God feels the hurt we suffer
and enters into every human pain;
yet when our hatred flames, God makes a buffer,
absorbing venom time and time again.

We are not called beyond what we can offer
in giving someone back the peace we prize;
and yet when we are numb our God can proffer
the gift and grace to help us to arise.

And then once in a while perhaps we’ll manage,
through grace and not within our strength alone,
to show forgiveness that may help us salvage
relationships that once we would disown.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2010 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 11 10 11 10 Tune: INTERCESSOR
Created by HymnQuest.com

At the rising and the setting – a hymn

At the rising and the setting – a hymn. Matthew 18:20 At a time of a Methodist New Year, a time of meetings and decisions this text reminds us that, ‘…where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

1         At the rising and the setting
           of a thousand golden suns,
           life is turning on a pivot,
           birth to death each journey runs.

2         Through our morning’s contemplation,
           God is present in the mist
           of a thousand conversations,
           speaking words we might resist.

3         Speaking words that urge us forward,
           words to hasten or restrain,
           words to energise our gladness,
           words to comfort in our pain.

4         In the reading of the scripture,
           in our prayer and in our praise,
           in mundane and daily actions,
           God be with us through all days.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)

Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 8 7 8 7

Tunes: SUSSEX; WRAYSBURY