John 11:1-45 – The raising of Lazarus - Jesus’ assertions that his actions would demonstrate who he was were, to those around him, blasphemous in the extreme…and all this in the context that he was moving nearer to Jerusalem where he would be crucified.
This lyrical poem seems pertinent in the world at this time…
1 Such blasphemous extravagance
as limb is torn from limb;
expense is unaccountable,
is this the final sin?
2 There is no god, yet pain is god,
and God is very real,
amid the carnage and the fear,
the hatred that we feel
3 And did God look through human eyes
and touch with human hands,
and did a human mind discern
love's seed sown in these lands?
4 Yes, Christ is God, incarnate God,
and still his flesh is torn;
and eyes that look on all the world
with tears and cares are worn.
5 And still God hangs with wondering eyes
and all the world seems lost,
and no one dares to face the facts,
while parents count the cost.
6 When will we learn, O can we learn,
the lesson that Christ taught:
that wood and nails can never end
the love for which he fought.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 2010 Stainer and 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: 8 6 8 6
Tune: BRISTOL Ravenscroft – ‘Hark the glad sound’
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O River Mother, spirit of creation – hymn – the motherhood of God
1 O River Mother, spirit of creation,
flowing so freely since the dawn of time,
source of all life and onward propagation,
summer’s bright warmth and winter’s frozen rime.
2 Once from a riven altar, out through history,
your source of life flowed on to all the earth;
then cosmic letters formed the timeless story,
charged with your passion, grace and love and worth.
3 Now at the point in time of our existence,
through faith and science we discern our place.
We understand your gentle, calm persistence
folding around us with your love and grace.
4 O River Mother, flowing to the future,
on past the present that we see and feel,
take us, flow with us, kindly love and nurture,
virtues that make your presence strong and real.
Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2006 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: O PERFECT LOVE
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:22-23; Revelation 21; 1-5
Best of all is God is with us – Hymn for Wesley Day – 24th May
1 Best of all is God is with us,
God will hold and never fail.
Keep that truth when storms are raging,
God remains though faith is frail.
2 Best of all is God is with us,
life goes on and needs are met,
God is strongest in our weakness.
Love renews, will not forget.
3 Best of all is God is with us,
hearts are challenged, strangely warmed,
faith is deepened, courage strengthened,
grace received and hope reformed.
4 Best of all is God is with us,
in our joy and through our pain,
till that final acclamation:
‘life is Christ, but death is gain’.
5 Best of all is God is with us
as we scale eternal heights,
love grows stronger, undiminished;
earth grows dim by heaven’s lights.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2008 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, http://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: 8 7 8 7
Tune: CHAPEL BRAE
Words based on those attributed to John Wesley on his death bed: ‘Best of all is God is with us’. First published in Poppies and Snowdrops available from the author.
Beware of what you think or say – Jesus and a Samaritan woman – a hymn
John 4: 5-42 v.7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’.
1 Beware of what you think or say,
our actions give the lie,
or offer evidence of faith
for which we sing, or cry.
2 When challenged by a foreigner,
a woman in her need,
see Jesus shamed to change and act,
her challenge sowed a seed.
3 Yes, Jesus heard her call for help
and recognised her prayer,
her faith was evident to him,
as was his need to care.
4 If even Jesus changed his mind,
when will we grasp the fact
that scruples that we hold and guard
mean less than how we act.
5 But faith depends on depths of love,
compassion, care and grace;
to see in those we disregard
a sister’s, brother’s face.
© 2011 Stainer and 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: 8 6 8 6 Tune: ABRIDGE; BELMON
Words for our time 5…
Can we still hear within the church the gospel read and preached?
Then might we try to model here truths poverty has breached, where all can share the common wealth that Earth and grace afford,
that none through hate,
or grasping greed,
will dominate or Lord?
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