Category: Hymns

No peace for the Master – a hymn inspired by John 6:1-21 – Feeding of the multitude

No peace for the Master - July 28th  John 6: 1-21

1	No peace for the Master, the people would follow, 
	for he had compassion for those who were lost, 
	then when he had healed them, and answered their questions, 
	he saw they were hungry, yet food had a cost.
	
2	Now Philip computed, they never could manage, 
	but Jesus was adamant, they must be fed. 
	What was there to feed them? A boy had come forward, 
	he offered two fishes and five loaves of bread.
	
3	The crowd were now seated and Jesus was ready, 
	he lifted his eyes, blessed the fish and the bread. 
	Miraculous feeding, five thousand were feasting, 
	O wonder of wonders, yet more lay ahead. 
	
4	However we see it, God's power over nature; 
	a sharing of little so all can be fed;
	this story still points to the person of Jesus, 
	for here God is present, God's nature is read.

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:12 11 12 11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO; ST CATHERINE’S COURT

On a Galilean hillside – hymn inspired by Mark 6: 30-34

On a Galilean hillside – July 21st – Mark 6: 30 – 34

1          On a Galilean hillside
            stood a crowd with wondering eyes,
            captivated by the mystery,
            framed by mountain, sea and skies.

2          Jesus stood, and with compassion,
            met their gaze and understood
            depth of pain, and human anguish,
            evil challenging their good.

3          What he said defied their senses,
            challenged values, yet affirmed
            those whom life had spurned or battered,
            lifted them above the herd.

4          Now we stand, impassioned, waiting
            for a word to cure our ill;
            but he challenges complacence,
            love is ours to share or still.

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 Trochaic
Tune: WRAYSBURY (Hymns & Psalms 141)

Hymn on the death of John the Baptist

The death of John the Baptist


1 Evil intention, skilful deception,
devious plotting, bent on revenge;
heart fired by hatred, John is not sacred,
see how Herodias seeks her revenge.


2 Then came the moment, see her opponent,
vulnerable prisoner, she’d seal his fate.
Dancing for Herod opened the scabbard,
offered the victim cold on a plate.


3 Shocking entrapment, scheming detachment,
almost inhuman, are we like that?
When self-deception hides our intention
self-righteous pleading bleeds on the mat.


4 Let us be honest, grace is God’s promise,
no need to earn it, this gift is free.
Yet could I face it? How to live with it:
face in the mirror looking at me.


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: 10 9 10 9
Tune: BUNESSAN