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
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God is your source of strength and help – based on Psalm 121
God is your source of strength and help – based on Psalm 121
God is your source of strength and help,
ground of this changing, cosmic scheme;
you need not look beyond the hills,
God folds you close in love unseen.
God never sleeps by day or night,
God's love will never lose its grip;
your God will never let you down,
your foot will never slide or slip.
The hottest sun will bring no harm,
nor will the moon bring hurt or fear
for God has guarded you with care,
and love will always hold you near.
Each journey that you make in life,
your coming in, your going out,
will show how much God loves you still,
through every danger, fear or doubt.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2002 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: NIAGARA
Windermere – copyright Andrew Pratt 2026
On life’s bewildering pathway – a hymn
On life’s bewildering pathway
On life’s bewildering pathway
we need you as our guide,
when anxious moments tease us
we need some place to hide.
Come, God console your people,
give strength to face this day,
give grace to see more clearly,
to follow in Christ’s way.
May steadfast loving kindness,
infuse the lives we live,
so sacrificial caring
inspires us all to give
beyond what we might measure,
the greatest gift of all,
to give our lives completely
in answer to your call.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2014 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
Inspired by Psalm 119:105-112
Pickmere & Wincham Methodist Church Bicentenary Hymn
Christ walked beyond walls where the people were living
Christ walked beyond walls where the people were living,
ignoring the fences of faith and respect.
He reached to the ones near the lakeside, by hedgerows,
ignoring the barriers the rich would erect.
And we in this Chapel adrift, but not drifting,
aside from the parish of which we are part,
have sought through two cent'ries to mirror compassion,
to open our doors and to cherish love’s art.
With Wesley we see all the world as our parish,
for nothing is foreign to hope, or God’s grace,
and still we will sing till the rafters are lifted,
and fear is dispelled as God’s joy fills this place.
We’ll look to the future, we’ll build on foundations
as firm as the ones that our ancestors laid,
we’ll trust in the Spirit that found us, and formed us,
to guide us and keep us. God’s love will not fade.
Andrew Pratt 1/6/2026 - Written for the 200th Anniversary of Pickmere and Wincham Methodist Church, Cheshire.
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.
Tune: THE STREETS OF LAREDO (AKA - THE BARD OF ARMAGH); THE ROAD AND THE MILES TO DUNDEE (StF 604)
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