Category: Uncategorized

God still needs prophets – old hymn perhaps for now?

God still needs prophets who will rage,

against discrimination,

who speak God’s words amid despair,

to this and every nation;

who reach again with nail scarred hands,

into the pain we’re feeling,

to hold us when we weep at loss,

who bring a hope of healing.

 

God still needs prophets who will hold

a mirror to our blindness,

to show us, each and everyone,

how hollow is our kindness;

how empty are our words of love

when shrouded in derision,

how clever words can’t justify

unloving indecision.

 

God still needs prophets who ignore

religions that confine us,

who magnify our words of love

through actions to refine us.

May we be prophets through our words

and in our hands of healing,

that others might see Christ in us

while Christ to us revealing.

 

Andrew Pratt 23/11/2008

Words © 2015 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Pleaseinclude any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All widerand any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.

There is no clash of creeds – A hymn to remind us of our common humanity whatever our ethnicity or creed

There is no clash of creeds,
no hatred thought or said,
where love is taken seriously,
where neighbour's needs are fed.

Beliefs are put aside,
so care can take the stage;
no creed is more important here
than loving come of age.

The gamble that we take
from each religious frame,
is letting go of certainty,
of silencing our claim.

No pride in rite or creed
is ever worth a life;
for this humanity we share
transcends all human strife.

Together let us build,
and keep the end in view:
a vast community of love
for all, not just the few.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 2008 Stainer & Bell Ltd
Words © 2008  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: SM
Tunes: GARELOCHSIED; SANDYS

Cities of sanctuary – hymn for refugee week

Cities of sanctuary, places of safety, 
here where all strangers are welcomed and blessed, 
we stand with Jesus in love of our neighbour, 
here in our actions his love is expressed.
	
We will act justly while offering mercy, 
nurturing humbly a gospel of peace, 
welcome all people regardless of status, 
counter celebrity, value the least.
	
Here in a world that is cruel and unyielding 
God's hospitality values the poor; 
this is the scandal of love without limits, 
loving the unloved, then loving them more.
	
We will not rest till each migrant is welcomed. 
We will share bread till the hungry are fed. 
We will confront each injustice that greets us, 
loving with vigour till hatred is dead.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2008 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: STEWARDSHIP

With thanks to Inderjit Bhogal for his work, example and inspiration