Treasures abounding, wonders confounding -inspired by Matthew 13: 44-45
1 Treasures abounding, wonders confounding
limits and concepts humanly held;
pearls of great treasure, love beyond measure,
graciously given, never compelled.
2 Yeast for our baking, loaves we are making,
bread for our breaking, wine for our thirst:
here in communion we find a union,
table of feasting, last shall be first.
3 Seed for the sowing, life for the growing,
Jesus is showing how we can live;
smallest beginnings, richest of winnings,
we are receiving all God can give.
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: 10 9 10 9
Tune: BUNESSAN
Category: Theology
He touched the ones that others would despise hymn inspired by Matthew 15: 10 – 28
He touched the ones that others would despise
1 He touched the ones that others would despise,
he lifted up the poor to help them rise,
he stemmed the hypocrites within their pride
and drew the little children to his side.
2 He stopped the ones who'd stone a woman dead,
then offered care, forgiving her instead.
He called his friend once buried in a cave,
he promised love would live beyond the grave.
3 He poured himself in love to all the earth,
a sacrifice of grace affirmed our worth,
and now this simple sacrifice is all
we need to make to follow at God's call.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
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
Metre: 10 10 10 10
Tunes: ALL SOULS; CHILTON FOLIAT
What would God make of this building? – a hymn about welcoming
What would God make of this building? - a hymn about welcoming
1 What would God make of this building,
house of eloquence and praise,
God who walked the earth before us,
Christ of Galilean days?
2 He who left a home and family,
had nowhere to rest his head,
cast his lot with those derided
framed his life with what he said.
3 He who built a human temple
with the ones he sought to lead,
fended off each great temptation:
born of human power and greed.
4 Would he choose a place, more simple,
less ornate, of greater use,
where the hungry and the homeless
could be healed of their abuse?
5 If we follow in his footsteps
then this place must come to be
open to the poor, the homeless
where the richest grace is free;
6 Where our hope will glaze for glory
windows looking on the world,
where the broken will be welcome,
where love's given, never sold.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2001 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 Trochaic
Tunes: GOTT DES HIMMEL; RATHBUN
Matthew 10: 40-42 speaks of how we should welcome people. This hymn questions whether the church mirrors this example, and for ‘church’ you can think of a congregation, a parish, a circuit – buildings or people - or even a denomination…
How can God, condemned, be hanging? – the test of all that deserves to be called Christian…
How can God, condemned, be hanging? – the test of all that deserves to be called Christian… (See Jurgen Moltmann The Crucified God)
How can God, condemned, be hanging?
False messiahs meet such ends,
and the ones then testifying,
have no need to make amends.
Educated folk were laughing,
they foresaw what was to come,
saw disciples hiding, crying,
feeling both distraught and numb.
But that early Easter morning
brought another scene to bear,
Jesus mission had not ended,
he was risen, standing there.
Still the story, more than foolish
soon gave rise to talk and doubt.
‘Surely God could never suffer?’
taunting people tease and shout.
Signs and wisdom are confounded
by that stumbling block, the cross.
Things that we once saw as wisdom
now dismissed as foolish dross.
God had shown such strength in weakness.
Those who shared Christ’s dying breath
now at last could claim dominion,
love defeating hate and death.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
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.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D Tune: CALON LAN
Created by HymnQuest.com
A hymn reflecting on story of the road to Emmaus
A hymn reflecting on story of the road to Emmaus
This is the day when we confess our faith,
dependant on our God and God’s good grace,
we seek to take our cross, to follow Christ,
while seeing Christ in one another’s face.
This is the time, there is no turning back,
companion God you stand beside us still,
walk with us through life’s twisting, winding way,
and keep us always faithful to your will.
Help us to break your bread of life, then share;
lift up the cup of blessing, drink your wine;
when rising from this table go in peace,
our life and living be a gracious sign.
And so we stand to offer up our lives,
not just a verbal sacrifice of praise,
we offer freely all we have to give
until your spirit sets the world ablaze.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © [pre-2026?] 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: 10 10 10 10
Tune: WOODLANDS
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