worship – hymnsandbooks

At the rising and the setting – a hymn

At the rising and the setting – a hymn. Matthew 18:20 At a time of a Methodist New Year, a time of meetings and decisions this text reminds us that, ‘…where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

1         At the rising and the setting
           of a thousand golden suns,
           life is turning on a pivot,
           birth to death each journey runs.

2         Through our morning’s contemplation,
           God is present in the mist
           of a thousand conversations,
           speaking words we might resist.

3         Speaking words that urge us forward,
           words to hasten or restrain,
           words to energise our gladness,
           words to comfort in our pain.

4         In the reading of the scripture,
           in our prayer and in our praise,
           in mundane and daily actions,
           God be with us through all days.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)

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

Tunes: SUSSEX; WRAYSBURY

Hymn in respect of those who affected by the Nepalese mud slide disaster

A flood of degradation sweeps life and limb away – hymn in respect of those who affected by the Nepalese mud slide disaster

A flood of degradation
sweeps life and limb away.
Is God within this carnage
of death by night and day?
A stream of mud pours downward
that nothing can resist;
no reason and no purpose
behind this fatal twist?

Is this another symptom, 
like avalanche and fire, 
made worse by global warming, 
by greed and our desire; 
desire for domination, 
regardless of the cost, 
with ecosystems damaged, 
and earthly balance lost

Great God is there no answer, 
no justifying plea, 
no easy explanation 
for all we sense and see?
And while our minds still struggle 
to come to terms with grief, 
help us to go on loving, 
to try to bring relief?

Beyond our understanding 
creation screams and turns, 
God hold us and enfold us 
as faith decays and burns.
Yes, hold us in our anguish 
when reason quakes and sighs, 
bring light to lead us forward 
when all creation cries.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 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: 7.6.7.6 D

Tune: AURELIA

These words written at the time of the recent Nepalese mud slide also raise questions that resurface at other times of natural disasters. They are a reflection, not an answer. What we see raises questions for me. What can we do at such times that can have any relevance at all? At the least, perhaps, giving to relief organisations. I intend to give to BRITISH RED CROSS on this link. If you can help in this or any other way, please do.

Prophets once challenged our human indifference calling us to open our hearts to our neighbours

Prophets once challenged our human indifference

1           Prophets once challenged our human indifference,
              bringing hypocrisy into the light.
              Shone through our prejudice, challenging, searching,
              opening eyes in the darkness of night.

2           Into this moment of crisis, of worship,
              when we will offer our prayers and our praise,
              lead us to promises, quell our indifference,
              help us commit to your life and your ways.

3           Open our hearts to each friend and each neighbour,
              quench any hatred or fear at its source.
              When we might wander away from your loving,
              take us, and lead us, and keep us on course.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2014 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 – A challenge this week – what tune would you use?

Treasures abounding, wonders confounding Matthew 13: 44-45

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

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