Up! Up and away – Ascension hymn

Up! Up and away! - Ascension hymn

Up! Up and away! Was it really that crazy? 
Seems too much like magic, so hard to believe. 
His ministry ended. The cross was behind him. 
Disciples commissioned, so much to receive.
	
The Spirit was coming, the mission beginning, 
the world was their parish to love and to hold. 
Disciples went on in the strength of that Spirit, 
a Spirit of power to inspire and enfold.
	
But that would come later, for now they were waiting, 
in hiding, reflecting on all they had seen; 
on all Jesus taught them, in words and through wonders, 
in all they had heard, of whom Jesus had been.
	
This Jesus had promised, had challenged, encouraged, 
had offered them peace that the world could not give. 
And soon all the earth would be spun on its axis, 
and we share that Spirit, in Christ we will live! 

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.
12 11 12 11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO
Image extract from iPad art Andrew Pratt

Transfiguration – hymn – Three disciples saw God’s glory

TRANSFIGURATION

Three disciples saw God's glory, 
sunlight pouring from Christ's face, 
shielding eyes are almost blinded, 
shaken by God's present grace.
Was it just imagination, 
was that Moses there as well?
Then Elijah stood before them; 
honoured men! Nowhere to dwell!
	
Seize the moment! Peter babbled, 
'should I build a place for you? 
Place of shelter, place of refuge? 
Moses and Elijah too?'
All at once the vision vanished, 
left them all alone again. 
Stunned disciples cowered in horror, 
wondered were they mad or sane?
	
Jesus came and gently touched them, 
'never breathe a word,' he said;
hinted at his human suff'ring 
hope, yet hell were both ahead.
From the mountain's awesome grandeur 
they went stumbling to the town, 
with their friend, this God incarnate, 
set to wear a scornful crown.

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: 8 7 8 7 D
Tune: AUSTRIA

iPad art © Andrew Pratt