A hymn in anticipation of Advent – The crash of constellations

A hymn in anticipation of Advent - The crash of constellations

1 The crash of constellations,
where prejudice divides,
where love is torn and broken,
where hatred still resides,
is where we meet as equals
and share what God has given,
diversity in concord,
a foretaste of God's heaven.

2 This is the time for praying,
yet prayer is not the end,
for reconciliation
needs grace that God will send.
And in that grace our vision,
our eyes are opened wide,
to see Christ in the other,
and then we must decide:

3 Is love of God yet greater
than human words and creeds?
Is love of neighbour furnished
by human loving deeds?
And can we live together
or must we be apart,
because of human diff'rence
though we are one in heart?

4 God give us grace to fathom
the riches of your care,
and then the strength to shoulder
the ministry we bear;
that working with each other
acknowledging the worth
of love we share together
we'll spread your peace on earth.

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: 7 6 7 6 7 6
Tune: THORNBURY


Hurricane Melissa – hymn-iPad art

Fraught with danger, dark foreboding,

fear is lurking in the wings, 

swirling thund’rous winds uplifting, 

cosmic forces, shattered things. 

Buildings lifted, structures sundered,

lives are broken, swept aside, 

God where is your promised presence

when there is no place to hide?

Take us, hold us, mother, fold us

in the harbour of your love, 

guide us through this present moment, 

quell this torment peaceful dove.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2025 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: ALL FOR JESUS

Star strewn garments clothe the heavens – hymn, for harvest or creation season

Hymn inspired by the 1 Timothy. Suitable, perhaps, for harvest or creation season worship or reflection.

A song  of creation inspired by 1 Timothy

Star strewn garments clothe the heavens, 
robes of beauty, source of awe;
Spirit God transcending hist’ry, 
way beyond where pulsars soar.

Mountains rise up from the valleys, 
folded like a gathered cloak
seas and rivers, great sierra, 
lofty cedar, ageing oak.
          
God beyond our understanding, 
God of wisdom, Lord of days; 
God of miracle and wonder, 
You deserve our life-long praise!

Metre: 8 7 8 7
Tune: STUTTGART

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.