Treasures abounding, wonders confounding -inspired by Matthew 13: 44-45
1 Treasures abounding, wonders confounding
limits and concepts humanly held;
pearls of great treasure, love beyond measure,
graciously given, never compelled.
2 Yeast for our baking, loaves we are making,
bread for our breaking, wine for our thirst:
here in communion we find a union,
table of feasting, last shall be first.
3 Seed for the sowing, life for the growing,
Jesus is showing how we can live;
smallest beginnings, richest of winnings,
we are receiving all God can give.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 2011 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: 10 9 10 9
Tune: BUNESSAN
Author: Andrew Pratt
Andrew Pratt was born in Paignton, Devon, England in 1948.
He touched the ones that others would despise hymn inspired by Matthew 15: 10 – 28
He touched the ones that others would despise
1 He touched the ones that others would despise,
he lifted up the poor to help them rise,
he stemmed the hypocrites within their pride
and drew the little children to his side.
2 He stopped the ones who'd stone a woman dead,
then offered care, forgiving her instead.
He called his friend once buried in a cave,
he promised love would live beyond the grave.
3 He poured himself in love to all the earth,
a sacrifice of grace affirmed our worth,
and now this simple sacrifice is all
we need to make to follow at God's call.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2012 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: 10 10 10 10
Tunes: ALL SOULS; CHILTON FOLIAT
Churning waves unsettled Peter – a hymn inspired by Matthew 14: 22-33
Matthew 14: 22-33 - the faith to walk on water – 12 Aug
1 Churning waves unsettled Peter,
startled, he was sinking fast,
he'd been walking on the water,
seemed this moment could not last.
Jesus reached a hand to save him,
lifted him above the swell.
Fainting faith seemed to have left him,
Jesus knew this all too well.
2 In the boat things seemed much safer
but his friends, now overawed,
knew again, the truth was dawning,
this man Jesus was their Lord.
Even wind and waves obeyed him,
here God's nature was betrayed;
when we're sinking God still lifts us,
love and grace are still displayed.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2011 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
Metre8 7 8 7 D
Tune: CALON LAN
In the midst of our debating – dedicated to Comberbach Methodist Church Bible Study Group
In the midst of our debating - dedicated to Comberbach Methodist Church Bible Study Group
In the midst of our debating,
in the spirit of our prayer,
random thoughts, long held opinions,
God is present, God is there.
Through our prejudice, and comments,
faith is honed and turned around,
what we thought was safe is challenged,
seeds are sown in fertile ground.
In the end is our beginning,
new found grace, a common voice,
sounds amid our conversations,
time of crisis, time of choice?
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2026 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: 8.7.8.7
Tune: SUSSEX
Written in response for the request a reflective stanza at the Conference of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2026. My inspiration came from a Bible Study I have attended in Comberbach which uses a method like Liberation Theology to study scriptures week by week. Dedicated to the Study Group and with thanks to Ida, our host with gratitude and every blessing. 26/7/2026
The shells which cup such precious pearls – The Pearl of Great Price
The shells which cup such precious pearls – The Pearl of Great Price
The shells which cup such precious pearls
are like our hands that cradle hope,
which reach to others out of love;
we seek assurance, strength to cope.
The pearls that hold a core of grit
are like the grace that we have found,
though life is troubled, sharp and sour,
God folds in love, that’s sure and sound.
And so with hands like open shells
we offer pearls of greatest price,
the spirit's power, the grace of God
and Jesus' loving sacrifice.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2009 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: LM
Tune: BRESLAU
