Blogs

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)

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

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