Author: Andrew Pratt

Andrew Pratt was born in Paignton, Devon, England in 1948.

Using Vintage Hymns in Worship – a new book by Gillian Warson. You may find this interesting…

The publisher says –

For Christian believers, hymns offer an opportunity to bear witness to their faith and lift their voices in praise of God with their fellow worshippers. Hymns, even those dulled by familiarity, far from being trite and complacent, have the power to alert us to grave dangers facing the world today, and even to move us to decisive action.

Tempting though it is to disregard older hymns thinking of them as past their sell-by date, for many of the faithful, these traditional texts form the bedrock of worship and liturgy. Yet, what can be done if treasured hymns express social attitudes we no longer share, for example with regard to gender or colonialism?

Gillian R. Warson blows the dust off unfashionable texts and argues that they can now be regarded as “vintage”. She argues that hymn singing can continue as a flourishing tradition with old and new coexisting comfortably alongside each other, and suggests that vintage hymn texts should be lovingly preserved so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

You can see more at Gillian R. Warson News or buy the book here .

Hymns responding to Dr Tim Gordon’s Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church Climate Change Series

Dr Tim Gordon
Marine Biologist, Exeter University

Pre-meeting text

Like concrete, coral crumbles, 
devoid of life and breath, 
and lifeless it will signal 
our finiteness and death, 
until with all creation 
we find our common place 
and treasure this our planet 
and see, in life, God’s face.
 
The reef can be a model: 
a commonwealth of care, 
of close cooperation 
of all that’s living there: 
yet human beings meddle, 
bring damage and distress.
We need to learn and listen 
if life is to progress.

A deeper understanding 
that science can provide
could bring the restoration 
our actions have denied;
while prayer can open senses 
to things that are obscure, 
God’s spirit offers insight 
to make the world secure.

Andrew Pratt 23/5/2021
Words © 2021 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: 7.6.7.6.D
Tune: LLANGLOFFAN; AURELIA

Hymn responding to Dr Tim Gordon
Marine Biologist, Exeter University

The song of the sea, once melodious is dying, 
that song is essential, the calling of home; 
Great God, we lament, yet the sound of our crying 
is quieter than breakers, the wash of the foam.

What work must we do to restore what is broken, 
how can we encourage the choir of the sea? 
The spirit is moving, the waters are wounded, 
the oceans are anguished for life to be free.

You enter our suffering and love in our grieving, 
you join us in weakness, when frailty is near, 
God hold us, enfold us when hell overcomes us, 
stand near to the tomb of our folly and fear.

You promise a covenant, both gift and promise. 
Creation is groaning, still coming to birth. 
Bring newness, renewal, a hope that is living, 
from suff’ring bring joy for the whole of the earth.

We treasure the symphony, yet we are grieving, 
we long for the chorus, the song of the sea, 
bring light in the darkness and sound in the silence, 
Great God, co-creator let all life be free.

Andrew Pratt 24/5/2021
Words © 2021 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: 12.11.12.11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO YouTube - Sung and played by Gareth Moore

More information click here