Within the temple's shaking frame – Calling and Vocation – the first disciples
1 Within the temple's shaking frame,
Isaiah heard a call,
that sought commitment through a vow
that he would give his all.
The gospel message that he heard,
apostles heard again
within another time and age.
God's call was not in vain;
2 For Jesus standing by a lake
amazed the men who fished,
then challenged them to move beyond
all that they hoped or wished.
And now we stand before you God,
in our own time and place,
so give us courage and the nerve
to trust surprising grace.
3 To go beyond our place and time,
encompassed in your care,
to know however hard the call
your love will find us there.
Amazed by grace and stunned by awe
that brings us to our knees,
we rise within the hope of God
that strengthens, loves and frees.
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 8 6 8 6
Tune: KINGSFOLD
Category: Bible
Baptised into being, the Lord of creation – hymn inspired by Matthew 3:13-17)
Baptised into being, the Lord of creation (Matthew 3:13-17)
1 Baptised into being, the Lord of creation:
the dove is descending the Spirit has come,
it soars and it swoops on the face of the waters,
Christ blessed in that moment, his mission begun.
2 Here John the Baptiser will pass on the baton,
though harsh and prophetic, his message, refined,
will gain a new purpose, as Jesus will challenge:
the powers and authorities now undermined.
3 But that will come later, for now for the honing
of all his integrity, knowledge and skill,
the Christ is cast out to the wilds of the desert,
where animals forage and hunger can kill.
4 And on his return he will live as God with us,
humanity clothed with both loving and grace,
to temper all justice with mercy, compassion,
a model of life for the whole human race.
5 And when will we walk in the steps of this master?
And when will we emulate what we see there:
inclusive and limitless love for creation
where all is of value and all deserve care?
Andrew E 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: 12 11 12 11
Tunes: ST CATHERINE’S COURT
Holy Innocents’ Sunday – 28th December – A hymn of lament
Holy Innocents’ Sunday – 28th December – A hymn of lament recollecting Herod’s intention to kill all the young children to rid himself of his perception that Jesus, ‘King of the Jews’ was a threat to his rule.
1 The Prince of Peace has come to earth,
we celebrate Messiah’s birth,
and yet the news is hung with fears,
and all the world is wrung with tears.
How long, O Lord, must children cry?
How long, O Lord, must children die?
2 In Ramah voices once had wept,
in quiet children died, not slept,
and Rachel wandered comfortless
consumed by death and deep distress.
How long, O Lord, must children cry?
How long, O Lord, must children die?
3 And in a later time a place,
a squalid stable formed the space
in which a little boy was born
that all the powers of earth would scorn.
How long, O Lord, must children cry?
How long, O Lord, must children die?
4 The Prince of Peace has come to earth,
we celebrate Messiah’s birth,
and yet we slaughter once again,
will death and carnage still remain.
How long, O Lord, must children cry?
How long, O Lord, must children die?
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: 8 8 8 8 8 8
Tune: MOZART
A hymn for the reality of Jesus’ birth – Christmas Day
1 Bloodied baby, cradled gently
at a manger birth.
Bloodied saviour, injured, dying,
taking leave of earth.
Love incarnate demonstrating
all the depth of human worth.
2 In each death a resurrection
hidden yet from sight;
in our life’s humiliation,
healing, softened light.
Hope has risen, death no prison,
love has banished endless night.
3 Slightest light then burning glory
sets the earth ablaze,
morning light of love’s own story,
kindles all our praise;
in the garden, quietly waking,
see the Lord of years and days.
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: 8 5 8 5 8 7 Tune: ANGEL VOICES
A hymn for Christmas Day - Bloodied baby, cradled gently at a manger birth
1 Bloodied baby, cradled gently
at a manger birth.
Bloodied saviour, injured, dying,
taking leave of earth.
Love incarnate demonstrating
all the depth of human worth.
2 In each death a resurrection
hidden yet from sight;
in our life’s humiliation,
healing, softened light.
Hope has risen, death no prison,
love has banished endless night.
3 Slightest light then burning glory
sets the earth ablaze,
morning light of love’s own story,
kindles all our praise;
in the garden, quietly waking,
see the Lord of years and days.
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: 8 5 8 5 8 7
Tune: ANGEL VOICES
God is with us – Mary and Joseph becoming parents of Jesus
God is with us – Mary and Joseph becoming parents of Jesus
1 God is with us, Joseph heard it,
in a dream in deepest sleep:
Mary's child, they'd call him Jesus,
now he had a vow to keep;
bound together in God's purpose,
he and Mary made their way
to the census in the city,
waiting for God's chosen day.
2 So they pause within the tension;
fallow moment, time to pray;
parents looking for protection,
what would follow day on day?
Tiny fingers, gurgles, crying,
Mary feeding as they go,
God is with them in this baby,
God would learn and God would grow.
3 Enigmatic gift and promise,
Mary pondered in her heart,
Joseph just as challenged, puzzled,
had to learn a father's part.
Now we look back on the story,
time contracted, one life's span,
Jesus human, here among us,
terror waits as life began.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Matthew 1:18-25
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: 8 7 8 7 D
Tune: AUSTRIA
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