When those whose thoughts are crystal clear - Luke: 8: 23-39 A man from the region of the Gerasenes, who had demons met Jesus…a hymn…
1 When those whose thoughts are crystal clear
meet those who are confused,
reality can seem disturbed
and sense can feel abused.
We stand upon a sheer abyss
while vertigo takes hold:
the air above, the sea beneath,
our actions uncontrolled.
2 Was that the way that man once felt,
as though he was possessed;
estranged from all the world around,
undignified, unblessed?
And then when Jesus spoke to him,
that contact self-assured,
like raging swine his fever left,
his sanity restored.
3 And still we find we need the help
of those who stand as friends,
when in the nightmare of distress
none hears or comprehends.
God stand beside us, let us be
the channels of your grace,
that we might set each other free
from feelings that debase.
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: CMD
Tune: COE FEN
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I stroll along the forest paths – Pentecost goes on…
I stroll along the forest paths – hymn for 21st June – life in the Spirit!
I stroll along the forest paths, I ride upon the wind.
I sail across the ocean waves, or feast on tamarind,
but all the wealth and wonder here is empty, pale and trite
against the vibrant colours of your spirit’s flaming light.
Your spirit turns me round again when I'm against the wall.
Your spirit lifts me up again, you will not let me fall.
And when I lie asleep at night, in incandescent streams
your love cascades around my life, the goal of all my dreams.
I cast my life into that love, ignited by its flame.
Since meeting you each day I live can never be the same.
In concert and in harmony our lives will merge as one,
in singing, dancing joy until the setting of the sun.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2003 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: 14 14 14 14
Tune: THE LINCOLNSHIRE POACHER
Reflection for 2025 – Pentecost
Reflection for June 2025 – Pentecost – Andrew Pratt – originally written for the Mid- Cheshire Circuit
An image of fire in darkness
As Pentecost dawns the central image is of tongues of flame. But wait a minute.
To many people fire equates with fear, can be a trigger to post traumatic stress. Think Grenfell Tower, or the plethora of images of recent times of war torn, tumbled towns and cities or ravaged countryside.
How can we use this image of power and destruction for good? As part of our Christian celebration?
Think for a moment of giant redwood trees, apparently decimated by annual infernos. Witness the regrowth which follows – enlivened, fresh new growth, impossible without this devastation.
‘Deep within the trees are stored sugars from photosynthesis. They can use it for growth or metabolism … or they can store it for later. They have these really old, 50-to-100-year old carbon reserves that have accumulated for many decades that they can draw upon to build new leaves and do new photosynthesis.’[1]
Hold that image for a moment.
The prophet Joel looked forward to a time when God’s spirit would be poured out on all people. The expectation was a universal one. It was rooted in the understanding that at creation God’s Spirit moved over the face of the waters, that it had always been present. Joel sought to open people’s minds to this.
And now, at this time of Pentecost, we reflect on dispirited disciples being anointed in such a way that it seemed that flames came down among them, not of destruction, but of renewal, releasing possibilities deep within them which had been dormant, ever-present, and believe it, this same Spirit is within us.
And what was the new growth? A realisation that God’s Spirit was not exclusive, but inclusive as Joel had anticipated, would be poured out through them for all creation.
But all this is metaphor, pictures to open our minds. Our painting moves from darkness to fire and light. And, at best that illuminates the truth of the sacred worth of all humanity, and all creation. Yet to realise this our selfish inclinations must be destroyed to be replaced by the seeds of love such as we see in the person of Jesus which, if we have eyes to see, is there before us in every living person,
God, open our eyes to see with your eyes of love, warm us with the fire of your love, until we love one another as you have always loved us. Amen.
[1] https://www.science.org/content/article/ancient-redwoods-recover-fire-sprouting-1000-year-old-buds (accessed 28/5/2025)
Image © Andrew Pratt 2025
The comprehensive love of God – the Spirit will not be restrained – hymn for Pentecost
The comprehensive love of God - the Spirit will not be restrained,
1 The comprehensive love of God
will reach all humankind,
the Spirit will not be restrained,
she cannot be confined.
The breath of God infuses all
who live a life on earth,
the spark of God’s divinity
is with us at our birth.
2 So how can we deny this love
to those whom God would own,
for every person that we see,
by God, is fully known.
These are our sisters, brothers, friends,
they are our kith and kin,
we have one parent, yes one God,
and here we must begin.
3 How can we set aside the ones
so treasured by our God,
who walk upon the self-same earth
that we, ourselves, have trod?
Then let us all embrace as one
all nations and all creeds,
to show God’s love to each and all
in words and human deeds.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 2015 Stainer and 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 6 8 6 D
Tune: KINGSFOLD; ELLACOMBE
Wind of the Spirit, move us on – a hymn for Pentecost from Marjorie Dobson
Wind of the Spirit, move us on – a hymn for Pentecost from Marjorie Dobson
1 Wind of the Spirit, move us on,
Drive us before your force.
We need that power to strengthen us
Of which you are the source.
Blow off the cobwebs of the past
And set us on your course:
O come Holy Spirit, move us on, move us on.
O come Holy Spirit, move us on.
2 Fire of the Spirit, burn in us,
Surround us with your light.
Destroy our sense of apathy,
Give us the will to fight.
That with our hearts on fire for Christ
We set the world alight:
Chorus
3 Voice of the Spirit speak to us,
Give us your words to say.
Inspire the language of your love,
Help us to preach and pray.
That all may hear of saving grace
Translated for their day:
Chorus
4 Christ, let your Spirit sweep through us,
Your serving Church renew.
Give us new hope and confidence
In all the work we do.
That those who seek for faith today
May find their way to you:
Chorus
Marjorie Dobson (born 1940)
Words © 1999 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 6 8 6 8 6 and Chorus 7 6 11
Tune: GOD REST YOU MERRY (London)
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