Theology – hymnsandbooks

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

Easter Resurrection hymn: In the garden, walking, weeping

Easter Resurrection hymn: In the garden, walking, weeping

1	In the garden, walking, weeping,
	Mary came at break of dawn.
	All the sorrow, all the anguish
	made her figure lost, forlorn.

2	All the fragrance of that garden
	couldn't take away her fear;
	coming through the dancing shadows
	sunshine could not calm or cheer.

3	In the corner of the garden
	was the tomb where he'd been laid.
	Her intention was to hold him,
	feel again the love he gave.

4	Now she saw the tomb was empty,
	heard a gardener call her name,
	turning round she saw him, Jesus,
	one who'd reached her through her shame.

5	Sunshine cut through clouds of mourning,
	for his death had come and gone,
	silencing the dirge of sorrow,
	now she'd sing a sweeter song.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2002 © 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: OMNI DIE










Used By Permission. CCLI Licence No. 1111
Created by HymnQuest.com - HymnQuest ID: 77131

Good Friday hymn – Let us pause for recollection

Good Friday hymn – Let us pause for recollection

1	Let us pause for recollection 
	of a day that shook the earth: 
	day of gruesome execution, 
	day of death, yet hope of birth?
	Will we turn away, denying 
	those who show us how to live 
	lives of sacrificial kindness,
	scared to love, afraid to give?

2	Will we wash our hands like Pilate,
	let injustice take the stage, 
	turn our backs on fear and bloodshed 
	echoes of another age?
	Will we watch them from a distance,
	humans hanging out to dry, 
	or will we deride, forsake, them, 
	leaving them without a sigh?

3	Will we count our gains in secret, 
	leaving just a sordid kiss? 
	Will remorse and horror haunt us 
	selling such a life as this?
	This is now our time of crisis 
	as we stand beneath the cross, 
	this is now the choice before us:
	total gain, or utter loss.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2016 © 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

Such blasphemous extravagance – a hymn inspired by the raising of Lazarus but pertinent at this time

John 11:1-45 – The raising of Lazarus - Jesus’ assertions that his actions would demonstrate who he was were, to those around him, blasphemous in the extreme…and all this in the context that he was moving nearer to Jerusalem where he would be crucified.

This lyrical poem seems pertinent in the world at this time…

1	Such blasphemous extravagance 
	as limb is torn from limb;
	expense is unaccountable, 
	is this the final sin? 

2	There is no god, yet pain is god,  
	and God is very real, 
	amid the carnage and the fear, 
	the hatred that we feel

3	And did God look through human eyes 
	and touch with human hands, 
	and did a human mind discern 
	love's seed sown in these lands?

4	Yes, Christ is God, incarnate God, 
	and still his flesh is torn; 
	and eyes that look on all the world 
	with tears and cares are worn.

5	And still God hangs with wondering eyes 
	and all the world seems lost, 
	and no one dares to face the facts, 
	while parents count the cost.

6	When will we learn, O can we learn, 
	the lesson that Christ taught: 
	that wood and nails can never end 
	the love for which he fought.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 2010 Stainer and Bell Ltd., London, England, www.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 6 8 6
Tune: BRISTOL Ravenscroft – ‘Hark the glad sound’

Created by HymnQuest.com