Hidden mysteries amaze us Mark 4: 26 – 34

Hymn: Hidden mysteries amaze us June 16TH Lectionary Mark 4: 26 – 34

Hidden mysteries amaze us,
seed is sown then grows up high,
swelling seas form mighty mountains,
stars adorn the evening sky.

Jesus saw in life a story,
parables of love and grace,
things of God and revelation,
rooted, grounded in each place.

Yet for some the grace stayed hidden,
clouded, shrouded from their eyes,
others read the words more clearly,
God unmasked, not in disguise.

Here in Christ they saw the God-head,
emptied now of all but love;
God now grounded, standing with them,
not in cosmic space above.
© Andrew Pratt 31/5/2012
Words © 2012 © 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: GOTT WILL’S MACHEN
Metre: 8.7.8.7

Genesis Week 4 – Joseph and his brothers

When we bear a grudge that's lasting - Genesis Week 4

1 When we bear a grudge that's lasting,
eating us from deep within,
it can cripple solid friendships,
losing where love ought to win.

2 When his brothers came to see him
it was hard to read his mind
would a cancer eat his kindness,
would his sight of love be blind?

3 Joseph disabused his brothers,
restitution was his aim;
would that we could be as humble,
putting peace ahead of gain.

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
Tune: LAUS DEO (Redhead)

Genesis Week 3 – Jacob and Esau

Jacob tricked his brother Esau - Genesis week 3

1 Jacob tricked his brother Esau,
strange how God deals with this act;
Jacob seems to go unpunished,
discord sown by this one fact.

2 Tasty stew had bought a birthright,
hunger had the upper hand,
brothers once, two nations forming,
bitterness within the land.

3 Rancour sometimes deeply rooted
acts like cancer in our lives,
rifted, riven, torn and twisted,
love is lost or scarce survives.

4 Youthful envy, words unspoken,
rend a nation at its heart,
generations pass unnoticed,
wonder what had made this start.

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
Tune: ST CATHERINE (Jones)

As we reflect on D-Day after 80 years – a hymn

As we reflect on D-Day after 80 years… Were they filled with expectation? A hymn

Were they filled with expectation?
Did their minds well up with dreams?
Was there pent anticipation;
fear and joy, such tense extremes?
Now the weary, frightened, broken,
find their way to love and life;
strange adjustment, words unspoken,
tension still beyond that strife.

We will hold you as God holds you,
proud or tossing in your sleep,
try to share each hidden feeling,
understand what war can reap.
We will walk this road beside you,
we will always show respect,
we will love and go on loving ,
never lose you or forget.

And to those whose life is ended,
and to others who still grieve,
may God's love enfold and bless us,
when it's hardest to believe.
May we walk into the future
as this time becomes the past;
through each attitude and action
may remembrance live and last.

Andrew Pratt Words © 2010 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: ST WINIFRED (Dunman) – ‘Cradled in manger meanly’.

A single poppy (c) Andrew Pratt

Abram set out on a journey – the call of Abram/Abraham – Genesis 12 and onward…

Abram set out on a journey – Inspired by the call of Abram

1 Abram set out on a journey,
joined this new, uncertain, game.
Challenges bring new excitement,
no two days will be the same.
Life was settled, now it's shaken,
preconceptions turned around,
every day a new beginning,
every place uncommon ground.

2 Now it felt God moved the goal-posts,
playing by some other rules,
life and work had been uprooted,
staying home seemed just for fools.
Still today God calls the dreamers,
those with visions charged by grace,
those who move and travel onward,
bringing hope to each new place.

3 Will you join this pilgrim people,
finding new and different ways;
trusting God will walk beside you
now and in your future days?
Will you walk into the darkness,
trusting God and trav'ling light,
setting out to live the gospel,
always keeping God in sight?

Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Genesis 12 vs 1-4
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.
8 7 8 7D
Tune: BETHANY