Category: worship

Up! Up and away – Ascension hymn

Up! Up and away! - Ascension hymn

Up! Up and away! Was it really that crazy? 
Seems too much like magic, so hard to believe. 
His ministry ended. The cross was behind him. 
Disciples commissioned, so much to receive.
	
The Spirit was coming, the mission beginning, 
the world was their parish to love and to hold. 
Disciples went on in the strength of that Spirit, 
a Spirit of power to inspire and enfold.
	
But that would come later, for now they were waiting, 
in hiding, reflecting on all they had seen; 
on all Jesus taught them, in words and through wonders, 
in all they had heard, of whom Jesus had been.
	
This Jesus had promised, had challenged, encouraged, 
had offered them peace that the world could not give. 
And soon all the earth would be spun on its axis, 
and we share that Spirit, in Christ we will live! 

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.
12 11 12 11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO

Image extract from iPad art Andrew Pratt

Within the Areopagus – A hymn inspired by Paul’s meeting at the altar to an unknown God

A hymn inspired by Paul’s meeting at the altar to an unknown God within the Areopagus

1	Within the Areopagus
	debate was heated, talk was fast, 
	Paul joined this lively interchange: 
	debate goes on, the questions last.
	
2	It was not easy to believe: 
	the 'god' they worshipped was unknown. 
	They harboured an uncertainty, 
	another 'god' might still be shown?
	
3	What was the nature of this 'god'? 
	They argued, logic made them strain 
	beyond the confines of the known, 
	beyond the scope of mind or brain.
	
4	The ground of being, source of hope, 
	this nameless creativity, 
	might be the 'god' for whom they sought, 
	now focused in humanity.
	
5	It is not easy to believe, 
	but this we trust through faith and grace, 
	the unknown God for which they sought 
	is seen in Jesus life and face.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
© 2011 Stainer and Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 8 8 8
Tune: Melcombe

Toward the Coronation – a hymn

To set the context. Not everyone is a Royalist. I am Republican (in an English sense) by conviction. But… accident makes me roughly a month younger than Charles. He came to Queen’s College, Birmingham when I was training for ministry. He seemed far more at one with us students than many of the accompanying clergy and signatories. He is born into a role he did not choose anymore than I chose my birth. So a hymn for me, for us, perhaps for him…

This hymn is one of prayer, dedication and affirmation which might be used individually, or in connection with the Coronation. (inspired by Philippians 4:8)


Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour, 
things that are praiseworthy, honest and pure, 
whatever is pleasing, whatever brings justice:
these are the things to affirm and secure.


Be known by your gentleness, loyal in your dealings, 
favour no person, but honour the poor. 
Then welcome the stranger, the widow, the outcast, 
to join as companions through love's open door.


Wherever God finds you, wherever you wander, 
take faith as your watchword, let care bring renown;
while greeting each neighbour with hands that show friendship 
let grace be your goal and let love be your crown. 


Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 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. Published in More than hymns
Metre: 12 11 12 11
Tune: WAS LEBET, WAS SCHWEBET



Emmaus a hymn – Way out beyond the reaches of the cosmos

After Easter some people were walking to Emmaus talking about all that had happened. Jesus, unrecognised, walked beside them. Only when they reached their destination and asked Jesus to join them for a meal did they recognise him – when he broke bread.
This hymn reflects on the all-pervasive nature of the message of resurrection, that of creation and re-creation, only in the last verse bringing us to Emmaus. It is for communion, or any other meal.
Fred Kaan once pointed out that ‘companion’ means ‘with bread’. 

Way out beyond the reaches of the cosmos,
through strands, like smoke, of interstellar cloud, 
our God is moving, forming, re-creating, 
each image speaks the name of God, out loud.

It seems this God will nurture like a mother, 
the power of love embodies life and light.
This love transcends succeeding generations, 
brings comfort in the darkness of death's night. 

Companion God in breaking bread together 
we meet with you as we met on the way, 
a friendly God you still make peace between us, 
as sharing meals we meet with you each day.

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
Tune: O PERFECT LOVE
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One week on from Easter Sunday, a hymn with echoes of the story: ‘Such enchantment, sudden strangeness’

One week on from Easter Sunday, a hymn with echoes of the story: Such enchantment, sudden strangeness...

1	Such enchantment, sudden strangeness,
	Power and love, by God, distilled;
	Then they recognise his presence,
	By his words their fears are stilled.
	'Peace be with you', Simon Peter,
	John, you need not be afraid;
	'Peace be with you', doubting Thomas,
	Don't be anxious or dismayed.

2	In the garden he saw Mary,
	Talked with her, unrecognised;
	Naming her drew back the curtain,
	Opened tear-stained, blinded eyes.
	Others walking to Emmaus
	Talked, depressed, their sadness showed,
	Till at last, their journey ended,
	Broken bread their Lord disclosed.

3	Fishing, from a boat, some saw him,
	They had trawled, had felt forlorn;
	Recognition added savour
	To their breakfast at the dawn.
	As we go about our business
	Bring enchantment to our lives;
	Open eyes that we might know the
	Love from which our peace derives.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)	
Words © 2000 © 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.
8.7.8.7.D
Tune: HYFRYDOL