Category: Bible

This towering edifice – inspired by Mark 13:1-8

Temples now and then – This towering edifice of shining glass – inspired by Mark 13:1-8

1	This towering edifice of shining glass
	which speaks of power, of status and of class.  
	will one day fall, a glittering shower of shards, 
	will flutter like the children's house of cards.
	
2	These temples of our vanity and pride 
	like expectations of the crucified 
	will lie in dust and rubble that we raze, 
	not like the Christ who, later, God might raise.
	
3	We need to hear that sharp prophetic cry 
	reminding of the ones we would deny. 
	Self-righteous hypocrites will meet their end.
	Neglected people find in Christ a friend.

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: 10 10 10 10
Tunes: CHILTON FOLIAT; GO FORTH

Where James and John had asked to stand – inspired by Mark 10: 35-45

Where James and John had asked to stand – inspired by Mark 10:35-45

1          Where James and John had asked to stand
            two criminals would hang,
            one on the left, one on the right,
            while passing crowds harangue.
           
2          They did not know the consequence
            of what they asked that day,
            that those who sided with this man
            might die the self-same way.
           
3          They sought the honour and the pride
            of being one with Christ,
            yet those acknowledging this plea
            would bear the highest price.
           
4          And when we hear the call of God
            and follow where Christ led,
            let’s recognise a cross is set
            along the path we tread.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)

© 2012 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: CM

Tunes: BELMONT; CONTEMPLATION (Ouseley)

A sacramental union – Hymn/Poem Inspired by Mark 10:2-16

A sacramental union - Inspired by Mark 10:2-16

A sacramental union 
that none can put apart, 
and those who sought to fudge the law, 
were challenged from the start. 
The Pharisees were undermined, 
the laws would stay in place, 
with subtle ways of subterfuge 
destroyed without a trace.

Then learning from this interchange 
should we condemn and judge, 
or take a wider view of Christ, 
his spirit and his touch?
When questions of adultery 
were set to catch him out, 
he turned a mirror on the crowd 
and none were left to shout.

Hypocrisy and judgment were 
things that Christ condemned, 
and so we need to judge ourselves 
before we charge a friend.
To love as we would love ourselves
a child can understand, 
and we must unlearn prejudice, 
give grace the upper-hand.

Words Andrew Pratt © 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.Tune: 
Metre: CMD
Tune: ELLACOMBE
Inspired by Mark 10:2-16; May also be used as a poem.

A hymn for a seeking faith inspired by Psalm 19 – The cosmic pulse

A hymn for  a seeking faith inspired by Psalm 19 - The cosmic pulse

1	The cosmic pulse that beats through all creation,
	two spinning stars, the pulsar's throbbing light;
	these wing beats, not a passing aberration,
	but angels thronging through the mists of night;

2	The whirling, dancing, trance that brings relation
	with all that is and all that is to be;
	the mystic, magic prayer, this wild elation
	you say will bring the love to set us free;

3	Our language cannot offer a description:
	Nirvana, heaven, call it what you will;
	this other world that fires our inspiration
	is all that conjures up the power to thrill.

4	The God we hymn, through praise and acclamation,
	we seek to meet through words or bread and wine;
	yet all the world inspires your incantation;
	together let us fathom truth's design.

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: 11 10 11 10 Iambic
Tunes: HIGHWOOD; INTERCESSOR
From Whatever name or creed

Hymn inspired by Mark 7: 24-30 – She felt just like a ragged dog

She felt just like a ragged dog - inspired by Mark 7: 24-30

1	She felt just like a ragged dog 
	that scratched around for food, 
	denied, despised and kicked aside 
	and never any good.
	
2	Yet now she stood inside the door 
	and pleaded with this man, 
	for each taboo had little weight, 
	her grief had wider span.
	
3	Her child had need of healing help 
	and she would make Christ hear, 
	the urgency of anguished need 
	had overcome her fear.
	
4	And in that moment he would learn, 
	audacity would teach
	that human laws and well worn creeds 
	put no-one out of reach.
	
5	Compassion ruled and love compelled 
	to action on that day, 
	and Jesus' reach was broadened as 
	he learnt that grace held sway.

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: CM
Tune: ST PETER (How sweet the name of Jesus sounds)