Category: Song

When life juggles with our learning – musing on … art – doubt – faith

When life juggles with our learning – musing on … art – doubt – faith

1          When life juggles with our learning,
            with the things we thought secure,
            then it seems the artist’s palette
            spins and faith becomes obscure.
            In the wash of different colours,
            as we seek for shape and form,
            others paint their faith by numbers
            forcing God to fit some norm.
           
2          But when life has torn the canvas,
            when the numbers twist and slip;
            then we need to find an image
            that will help our hope to grip:
            Holding us, when we’re past holding,
            grounding when we’re insecure,
            till we find a faith, not drifting,
            still dynamic, free, yet sure.

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: 8 7 8 7 D Tune: NORMANDY (Bost)



PRATT GREEN TRUST + Brand New HymnQuest

As part of its 40th anniversary, the Trust is hosting a special one-day seminar in Manchester (and online) on 14 November and they would love to see you there:

“A More Profound Alleluia”
New perspectives on Fred Pratt Green’s hymns and their legacy
Luther King House, Manchester
14 November 2024, 10:30–17:00

BOOKING: https://prattgreentrust.org.uk/2024-seminar-a-more-profound-alleluia
Not only will you enjoy a fascinating, thought-provoking day, but you will also have the opportunity to see the brand-new version of HymnQuest, which will be available for the first time.

TIMETABLE

10:00 – Welcome and introduction to the day 
10:15 – Keynote speaker – Martin Leckebusch
11:15 – Coffee
11:45 – Workshop/Discussion – Elise Massa
12:45 – Lunch
13:30 – Papers

  • A Museum of theology – Christian hymns and Inclusion – June Boyce-Tillman
  • Fred Pratt Green – Opening Doors – Andrew Pratt
  • The Reception of Fred Pratt Green’s Hymns in North America – Nancy Graham
  • Proclaiming Social Justice in South Africa through English Hymnody: A Brief Exploration of John Gardener’s Contribution in South Africa– Andrew-John Bethke

15:30 – Tea
16:00 – Theological discussion – with questions from the floor
16:30 – Choral session – details of the Choir TBA
17:00 – CloseIf you would like to know more about the PGT or find out about ways you can help their cause, please email gillian@prattgreentrust.org.uk.

Giver of life, of breath, of bread – a hymn by a friend who describes it as ‘perennially topical’

Giver of life, of breath, of bread - Doug Constable

Giver of life, of breath, of bread,
from whose self-giving souls are fed,
from whom we learn the priceless worth
of every creature born on earth:

hear the poor prayers of aching hearts
weighed down by conscience-piercing darts;
for You command Your love’s good will:
no ifs no buts, Thou shalt not kill.

Self-sacrificing Christ, you grieve
 both for the dead and folks who leave
their hearts at home, who take up guns,
who let bombs fall on helpless ones.

Spirit, whose strength springs fresh from High,
comfort all victims marked to die;
relieve each soul found in distress;
curb all who’d rather curse than bless.

On those, unmoved by war’s alarms,
who profit by the sale of arms,
drop fires of purging faith, to burn
all fears to ash in love’s safe urn.

Merciful God, Beginning, End,
Saviour-Redeemer, sinner’s friend,
war-ending Spirit, breathing peace:
 weep with us till death-dealing cease ...

© Doug Constable  17.9 to 15.6.2024

Suggested tune: RIVAULX

Thank you Doug - sadly needful

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)

The mingled tears of memory – for now in Florida while remembering Katrina

1 The mingled tears of memory,

of present grief and fear,

reminders for humanity

that death is always near.

2 The hurricane, the tidal wave,

the terrorist attack,

that fracture faith, unsettle hope,

can cause belief to crack.

3 For where is God? And what is love

within this finite frame,

where life is trampled underfoot,

destroyed by winds that maim?

4 Can God be found in broken lives.

where chaos seems to rule?

Forsaken on a cross Christ hung,

made wisdom look a fool.

5 His broken hands reach out to heal,

through human hands today;

compassion sees the need for love

and God still makes a way.

6 And so amid these mingled tears

we cling to those who care,

and in the silence come to feel

the love of God is there.

Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948) 2005 Stainer and Bell Ltd.