Category: Bible

A hymn – ‘Investing in a monolith’

Some thoughts reflecting on Matthew 22:34-46 – a hymn – ‘Investing in a monolith’

1           Investing in a monolith
              that reaches to the sky
              can blind us to our neighbour’s loss,
              we’re deaf to hear their cry.
              The infrastructure that we crave,
              carves scars across the land,
              where food and beauty once was found,
              but can no longer stand.

2           The monuments we build to power
              that sap a nation’s wealth,
              will crumble as they leech the poor,
              yet wreck our moral health.
              When will we learn a quiet way,
              not strident in its speech,
              of love for neighbour, knowing peace
              is not beyond our reach?

3           When will we till this common ground
              we share through human birth,
              that all its riches, love and joy,
              may show our common worth;
              each one a child, a neighbour, friend,
              a partner in this life?
              Then let us share in Christ-like love,
              and harbour no more strife.

Words: Andrew Pratt © 2018 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: VOS DILECTI
Created by HymnQuest.com

Treasures abounding, wonders confounding Matthew 13: 44-45

Treasures abounding, wonders confounding -inspired by Matthew 13: 44-45

1	Treasures abounding, wonders confounding
	limits and concepts humanly held; 
	pearls of great treasure, love beyond measure, 
	graciously given, never compelled.
	
2	Yeast for our baking, loaves we are making, 
	bread for our breaking, wine for our thirst: 
	here in communion we find a union, 
	table of feasting, last shall be first.
	
3	Seed for the sowing, life for the growing, 
	Jesus is showing how we can live; 
	smallest beginnings, richest of winnings, 
	we are receiving all God can give.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 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: 10 9 10 9
Tune: BUNESSAN

Churning waves unsettled Peter – a hymn inspired by Matthew 14: 22-33

Matthew 14: 22-33 - the faith to walk on water – 12 Aug

1	Churning waves unsettled Peter, 
	startled, he was sinking fast, 
	he'd been walking on the water, 
	seemed this moment could not last.
	Jesus reached a hand to save him, 
	lifted him above the swell.
	Fainting faith seemed to have left him, 
	Jesus knew this all too well.
	
2	In the boat things seemed much safer 
	but his friends, now overawed, 
	knew again, the truth was dawning, 
	this man Jesus was their Lord. 
	Even wind and waves obeyed him, 
	here God's nature was betrayed;
	when we're sinking God still lifts us, 
	love and grace are still displayed.

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
Metre8 7 8 7 D
Tune: CALON LAN

The shells which cup such precious pearls – The Pearl of Great Price

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

What would God make of this building? – a hymn about welcoming

What would God make of this building? -  a hymn about welcoming

1	What would God make of this building,
	house of eloquence and praise,
	God who walked the earth before us,
	Christ of Galilean days?

2	He who left a home and family,
	had nowhere to rest his head,
	cast his lot with those derided
	framed his life with what he said.

3	He who built a human temple
	with the ones he sought to lead,
	fended off each great temptation:
	born of human power and greed.

4	Would he choose a place, more simple,
	less ornate, of greater use,
	where the hungry and the homeless
	could be healed of their abuse?

5	If we follow in his footsteps
	then this place must come to be
	open to the poor, the homeless
	where the richest grace is free;

6	Where our hope will glaze for glory
	windows looking on the world,
	where the broken will be welcome,
	where love's given, never sold.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2001 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 Trochaic
Tunes: GOTT DES HIMMEL; RATHBUN

Matthew 10: 40-42 speaks of how we should welcome people. This hymn questions whether the church mirrors this example, and for ‘church’ you can think of a congregation, a parish, a circuit – buildings or people - or even a denomination…