Abram set out on a journey – the call of Abram/Abraham – Genesis 12 and onward…

Abram set out on a journey – Inspired by the call of Abram

1 Abram set out on a journey,
joined this new, uncertain, game.
Challenges bring new excitement,
no two days will be the same.
Life was settled, now it's shaken,
preconceptions turned around,
every day a new beginning,
every place uncommon ground.

2 Now it felt God moved the goal-posts,
playing by some other rules,
life and work had been uprooted,
staying home seemed just for fools.
Still today God calls the dreamers,
those with visions charged by grace,
those who move and travel onward,
bringing hope to each new place.

3 Will you join this pilgrim people,
finding new and different ways;
trusting God will walk beside you
now and in your future days?
Will you walk into the darkness,
trusting God and trav'ling light,
setting out to live the gospel,
always keeping God in sight?

Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Genesis 12 vs 1-4
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.
8 7 8 7D
Tune: BETHANY

Hymn: Who’s my mother, sister, brother – Inspired by Mark 3:20-35

Who's my mother, sister, brother - Inspired by Mark 3:20-35 

1 Who's my mother, sister, brother,
when the odds are piled up high,
when the allegations clatter,
when the insults sing and fly?
Will you stand in strength beside me,
or will you deride, deny,
calling me the prince of devils,
will you hide behind a lie?

2 Or can I depend upon you,
trust your every word and prayer,
knowing that our bond, unbroken,
is love's sign that you are there?
Jesus knew his friends' betrayal,
knew his family's disbelief,
found his way through scorn and scourging,
dying like a common thief.

3 Yet though feeling God-forsaken,
grace would never lose its hold,
love as strong as death would keep him,
though abusers thought him sold.
And if in this present moment,
hope seems shattered, comfort gone,
know that love has sought and found us.
God gives grace to carry on.

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.
8 7 8 7 D
Tune: BETHANY

A hymn inspired by 1 Samuel 8: 4 – 11, 16 – 20 for Second Sunday after Pentecost perhaps still pertinent? – The warning went unheeded…

A hymn inspired by 1 Samuel 8: 4 – 11, 16 – 20 
for Second Sunday after Pentecost perhaps still pertinent?

1 The warning went unheeded,
that power corrupts and fires
a need for domination,
that wealth and fear conspires
to elevate the powerful,
to subjugate the poor,
that those who have most riches
will always look for more.

2 The people pleaded loudly,
'most nations have a king',
and reason would not change them
from wanting such a thing.
As history unfolded
they learnt, as if in youth,
that kings are only human,
a long-forgotten truth.

3 So Saul was soon anointed
and feted by his peers,
his reign was sometimes blighted,
brought hurt and pain and tears.
That lesson we're still learning:
that power blinds to need,
and wealth is hoarded, hidden,
and selfishness a creed.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 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: AURELIA