The cosmic cries that sound through all creation -
inspired by Psalm 33: 1-12 especially v 8-12.
1 The cosmic cries that sound through all creation,
the pain of creatures, birth-pangs of the stars,
the whining of the world upon its axis,
you craft in ways that nothing stains or mars.
2 We cannot fathom each eternal purpose,
or wrap our minds around what is to be.
We only know that, earthed here for a season,
our role is sealing human liberty.
3 Half crazy world in which we nurture children,
where right seems absent, mercy ground to dust;
O God give courage, foster our intention
to love our neighbour, resurrect our trust.
4 So God, as we would seek to follow Jesus,
to mine the depths of wisdom he has shown,
illuminate our task and lead us onward,
until into his likeness we have grown.
Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© 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: 11 10 11 10
Tune: LORD OF THE YEARS; HIGHWOOD
Created by HymnQuest.com
Category: Bible
Look beyond your life’s horizon – A hymn for Pentecost
Look beyond your life’s horizon – A hymn for Pentecost which echoes Joel 2: 28 & Acts 2: 1-21
Look beyond your life’s horizon,
what will come of life on earth?
God forsaken? Horror stricken?
Or a hope of love’s rebirth?
Look into this unknown future,
ask what actions can we take,
so that peace becomes an option
in decisions that we make.
Placing God right at the centre,
seeing Christ in those we meet,
moving with a gracious Spirit,
could make hopes and dreams complete;
dreams passed down through generations,
where in spite of faith or creed,
people reach to one another,
seek to meet another’s need.
Could it be within our lifetime
that the riches of this earth
might be shared, yes shared out freely,
not by lottery of birth?
Could we learn to be less selfish,
letting go, not grasping wealth,
till the world and all it’s peoples
live in harmony and health?
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2017 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: HYFRYDOL
Created by HymnQuest.com
How can God, condemned, be hanging? – the test of all that deserves to be called Christian…
How can God, condemned, be hanging? – the test of all that deserves to be called Christian… (See Jurgen Moltmann The Crucified God)
How can God, condemned, be hanging?
False messiahs meet such ends,
and the ones then testifying,
have no need to make amends.
Educated folk were laughing,
they foresaw what was to come,
saw disciples hiding, crying,
feeling both distraught and numb.
But that early Easter morning
brought another scene to bear,
Jesus mission had not ended,
he was risen, standing there.
Still the story, more than foolish
soon gave rise to talk and doubt.
‘Surely God could never suffer?’
taunting people tease and shout.
Signs and wisdom are confounded
by that stumbling block, the cross.
Things that we once saw as wisdom
now dismissed as foolish dross.
God had shown such strength in weakness.
Those who shared Christ’s dying breath
now at last could claim dominion,
love defeating hate and death.
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.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D Tune: CALON LAN
Created by HymnQuest.com
He stood with scarred and open hands – a hymn of resurrection
He stood with scarred and open hands - a hymn of resurrection inspired by John 20: 19-31
1 He stood with scarred and open hands,
their bloodied, but now risen, Lord,
incomprehension met his words,
their fear had tightened like a cord.
2 His word of peace rang in their ears,
yet they could hardly understand.
Bemused, unsettled, disbelief
meant that the fear they felt was fanned.
3 Yet here he stood, as flesh and blood,
a word of peace upon his lips,
but as they try to grasp at facts
their sense of meaning slides and slips.
4 He knew their need, for doubt and awe
was clouding each and every mind
but here was fish, he took and ate,
his human life was sealed and signed.
5 The path of pain that he had known
was grounded in necessity,
for perfect love was bound to face
self interest and hypocrisy.
6 And now they understood his words,
'come follow' echoed in their ears.
That self-same grace will call us all
and love will cancel out our fears.
Words: Andrew Pratt (born 1948) © 2012 Stainer & 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: LM Tune: BRESLAU
Easter Resurrection hymn: In the garden, walking, weeping
Easter Resurrection hymn: In the garden, walking, weeping
1 In the garden, walking, weeping,
Mary came at break of dawn.
All the sorrow, all the anguish
made her figure lost, forlorn.
2 All the fragrance of that garden
couldn't take away her fear;
coming through the dancing shadows
sunshine could not calm or cheer.
3 In the corner of the garden
was the tomb where he'd been laid.
Her intention was to hold him,
feel again the love he gave.
4 Now she saw the tomb was empty,
heard a gardener call her name,
turning round she saw him, Jesus,
one who'd reached her through her shame.
5 Sunshine cut through clouds of mourning,
for his death had come and gone,
silencing the dirge of sorrow,
now she'd sing a sweeter song.
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: 8 7 8 7
Tune: OMNI DIE
Used By Permission. CCLI Licence No. 1111
Created by HymnQuest.com - HymnQuest ID: 77131
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