This hymns was written over 30 yeaars ago after reading Stephen Hawking's Brief history of time 1 The God of cosmic question Surprises by his birth, Not in some new dimension But on this ravaged earth! 2 In quasars, quarks and pulsars We seek the cosmic truth: The ground of our existence That set creation loose, 3 And human senses lead us, Through all they analyse, From arrogance to wonder, To spiritual surprise. 4 But senses have their limits: Unanswered still there lies The single, deepest question Our intellect supplies. 5 Yet history proffers insight: The Christ of time and space Speaks of a God incarnate Amid this curious race: 6 Alive within our compass, Upon this ravaged earth, The God of cosmic question Surprises by his birth! Andrew E Pratt (born 1948) © 1991 Stainer & Bell Ltd 7 6 7 6 Iambic Tunes: KINGS LYNN (also COSMIC QUESTION) Published in Blinded by the Dazzle Alternative second verse - 2 At scientific frontiers We seek the cosmic truth: The ground of our existence That set creation loose,
Category: Science hymns/poems
Hymn responding to Dr Admos Chimhowu’s Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church’s Climate Change Series
Dr Admos Chimhowu Global Development Unit, The University of Manchester Developing policy for sustainable development Just imagine death and illness, overtaking life and health, poverty of moral action favouring our human wealth. Politicians take decisions, what is their priority: Love of neighbour? Economics? What does Christ expect of me? Every person on this planet, worthy of the dignity, dignity of healthy living, heir to our prosperity, needs the food to answer hunger, pure, fresh water for her thirst; but injustice threads through choices hoards the best, then trades the worst. Conflict, climate, infestation, ruined crops, polluted streams; sign the time for human action: not just words or empty dreams. Faith and politics together, people of each race and clime, we must join in one endeavour: save this earth while there’s still time! Andrew Pratt 23/6/2021 Words © 2021 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: BETHANY (Smart); LUX EOI More information click here
Hymn responding to Dr Cecilia Medupin’s Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church Climate Change Series
Dr Cecilia Medupin Dept of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester Dry, cracked and crazed the water-bed lies empty, the earth is thirsty, rain is slow to come, this news is hidden, floods have filled the headlines, the prophets now, not heard, might well be dumb. This is the earth the ground of life, our being, our home to share, to nurture and protect, a gift of God for us and all God’s creatures, to use our knowledge, work to good effect. As people wait, the wells of life are barren, how long, O God, before your people learn that we must live and love and work together, to answer needs that science can discern. The brightest light of wisdom dims in sadness, if we ignore the needs of all the earth, if selfishly we dominate creation, deny the love once given at our birth. Great God, earth mother, father of creation, we plead and cry that you will hear each voice, then motivate your people, bring fresh waters, till earth can sing and once again rejoice! Andrew Pratt 18/6/2021 Words © 2021 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 Tune: INTERCESSOR (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX0q8eBGE7A) More information click here
Hymn responding to Ms Steph Bryant’s Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church Climate Change Series
Ms Steph Bryant Youth and Schools Programme Co-Director, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion Our view of the stars fosters wonder, through grandeur: the sense of a cosmos within God’s embrace; from infinite chaos we’ve grown on this planet to learn, live and care, an inquisitive race. We thrive as God nurtures our fragile existence, our life is related to all life on earth, and each generation must deepen in knowledge, yet guard against arrogance in our own worth. God give us compassion to live with our neighbours, to value each species, conserve, and renew; to challenge those actions that lead to destruction, to cherish and never take more than our due. And these are the gifts we must share with our children, compassionate love and a God-given grace, this love with no limits pervades all creation from oceans and forests to infinite space. Andrew Pratt 14/6/2021 Words © 2021 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 More information click here
Hymn responding to Prof John Evans’ Seminar for Bramhall Methodist Church Climate Change Series
Prof John Evans Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Southampton To work with God we need to learn each nuance of this earth, the way the planet shifts and moves, its treasures, all their worth. We search out every finite source, yet sometimes lack the care to measure out just what we need, to leave some resting there. And now we start to comprehend not just this worldly wealth, but how its use can build, enhance, or damage earthly health; not just the strength of humankind, but climate’s synergy, the balance on which life depends for its vivacity. So now we learn to understand the calling of our race, to stand in watch, to call and act, within each time and place; not just renewing white bleached bones or raising dead to life, but clothing every word with love, where hatred once was rife. 7/6/2021 Andrew Pratt Words © 2021 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: KINGSFOLD
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