Hymn: Hidden mysteries amaze us June 16TH Lectionary Mark 4: 26 – 34
Hidden mysteries amaze us,
seed is sown then grows up high,
swelling seas form mighty mountains,
stars adorn the evening sky.
Jesus saw in life a story,
parables of love and grace,
things of God and revelation,
rooted, grounded in each place.
Yet for some the grace stayed hidden,
clouded, shrouded from their eyes,
others read the words more clearly,
God unmasked, not in disguise.
Here in Christ they saw the God-head,
emptied now of all but love;
God now grounded, standing with them,
not in cosmic space above.
© Andrew Pratt 31/5/2012
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.
Tune: GOTT WILL’S MACHEN
Metre: 8.7.8.7
Author: Andrew Pratt
Andrew Pratt was born in Paignton, Devon, England in 1948.
Genesis Week 4 – Joseph and his brothers
When we bear a grudge that's lasting - Genesis Week 4
1 When we bear a grudge that's lasting,
eating us from deep within,
it can cripple solid friendships,
losing where love ought to win.
2 When his brothers came to see him
it was hard to read his mind
would a cancer eat his kindness,
would his sight of love be blind?
3 Joseph disabused his brothers,
restitution was his aim;
would that we could be as humble,
putting peace ahead of gain.
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.
Metre: 8 7 8 7
Tune: LAUS DEO (Redhead)
Genesis Week 3 – Jacob and Esau
Jacob tricked his brother Esau - Genesis week 3
1 Jacob tricked his brother Esau,
strange how God deals with this act;
Jacob seems to go unpunished,
discord sown by this one fact.
2 Tasty stew had bought a birthright,
hunger had the upper hand,
brothers once, two nations forming,
bitterness within the land.
3 Rancour sometimes deeply rooted
acts like cancer in our lives,
rifted, riven, torn and twisted,
love is lost or scarce survives.
4 Youthful envy, words unspoken,
rend a nation at its heart,
generations pass unnoticed,
wonder what had made this start.
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.
Metre: 8 7 8 7
Tune: ST CATHERINE (Jones)
We do not WIN elections
We do not WIN elections. MPs are elected to SERVE those who elect them. The language we use is significant.
As we reflect on D-Day after 80 years – a hymn
As we reflect on D-Day after 80 years… Were they filled with expectation? A hymn
Were they filled with expectation?
Did their minds well up with dreams?
Was there pent anticipation;
fear and joy, such tense extremes?
Now the weary, frightened, broken,
find their way to love and life;
strange adjustment, words unspoken,
tension still beyond that strife.
We will hold you as God holds you,
proud or tossing in your sleep,
try to share each hidden feeling,
understand what war can reap.
We will walk this road beside you,
we will always show respect,
we will love and go on loving ,
never lose you or forget.
And to those whose life is ended,
and to others who still grieve,
may God's love enfold and bless us,
when it's hardest to believe.
May we walk into the future
as this time becomes the past;
through each attitude and action
may remembrance live and last.
Andrew Pratt 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: 8 7 8 7 D
Tune: ST WINIFRED (Dunman) – ‘Cradled in manger meanly’.
A single poppy (c) Andrew Pratt
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