The earth pleads for justice, the harvest is wanting - While Matthew 9: 37 speaks of a harvest of people, perhaps it is also pertinent today if we think of a harvest of the earth and its care?
The earth pleads for justice, the harvest is wanting,
in fire, flood or tempest our crops are destroyed;
the Spring, once predicted, is desolate, silent,
excuses are hollow, we’ve done all we can?
The mountains have echoed, or is that God’s whisper,
the quiet consternation of one in distress?
A prompting, a question that answers our calling,
is that your defence, that you’ve done all you can?
While continents crumble and ice caps are melting,
you sit on your hands, you do nothing at all.
Wake up to the danger still growing around you,
and do all you can till your passage is through.
And now in the present let’s work for the future,
still others will follow, they wait in the wings:
this planet, its future, its people our neighbours,
join hands, sing our anthem: ‘We’ll do All We Can!’
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2021 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: 12 11 12 11
Tunes: LAREDO; ST CATHERINES COURT
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Tag: calling
Calling and Vocation – the first disciples- a hymn
Within the temple's shaking frame – Calling and Vocation – the first disciples
1 Within the temple's shaking frame,
Isaiah heard a call,
that sought commitment through a vow
that he would give his all.
The gospel message that he heard,
apostles heard again
within another time and age.
God's call was not in vain;
2 For Jesus standing by a lake
amazed the men who fished,
then challenged them to move beyond
all that they hoped or wished.
And now we stand before you God,
in our own time and place,
so give us courage and the nerve
to trust surprising grace.
3 To go beyond our place and time,
encompassed in your care,
to know however hard the call
your love will find us there.
Amazed by grace and stunned by awe
that brings us to our knees,
we rise within the hope of God
that strengthens, loves and frees.
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 8 6 8 6
Tune: KINGSFOLD
John the Baptist – a hymn
Related to Luke 3:7-18 – John the Baptist – The Third Sunday in Advent
1 This is the Baptist, unkempt and yet ready,
calling the people to listen and act;
calling them down to the water for washing,
talking of holiness, Godliness, fact.
2 This is the man who will call to repentance
fisherman, Pharisee, zealot and priest;
here in the river the sinners will gather,
taking God's blessing and sharing God's peace.
3 This is the prophet announcing the crisis,
moment for turning for challenge and choice;
quenching of hatred, demanding repentance,
giving a reason to praise and rejoice.
4 This is the man, in humility pointing
others to one who would soon take his place.
Jesus is coming, the Spirit confirming,
this is my Son who will channel my grace.
5 Up from the waters the Christ is arising,
up from our slumbering we will rise too;
waking to love and to work every dawning,
each a disciple with Christ's work to do.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2009 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
Come follow me – hymn inspired by Mark 10: 17-31
Come follow me – inspired by Mark 10:17-31
1 'Come follow me, come follow fast,
and leave the rest behind,
reach after realms of mystery,
yes, seek, and you will find'.
What holds us in this human realm?
What treasures keep us back
from giving all we have and are?
This confidence we lack!
2 The call had seemed impossible,
the problem was his wealth.
And we deflect the word of God
avoiding it by stealth.
Our legs are heavy, steps are slow,
it seems we cannot move.
The call to trusting seems absurd,
in things we cannot prove.
3 And so we stay with what is sure,
we cling to what is known,
and through our fear we lose our grip
on treasure we might own.
Then like that man we walk away,
each with a heavy heart,
or turn to follow in the way,
to make a brand new start.
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: DCM
Tune: KINGSFOLD
Abram set out on a journey – the call of Abram/Abraham – Genesis 12 and onward…
Abram set out on a journey – Inspired by the call of Abram
1 Abram set out on a journey,
joined this new, uncertain, game.
Challenges bring new excitement,
no two days will be the same.
Life was settled, now it's shaken,
preconceptions turned around,
every day a new beginning,
every place uncommon ground.
2 Now it felt God moved the goal-posts,
playing by some other rules,
life and work had been uprooted,
staying home seemed just for fools.
Still today God calls the dreamers,
those with visions charged by grace,
those who move and travel onward,
bringing hope to each new place.
3 Will you join this pilgrim people,
finding new and different ways;
trusting God will walk beside you
now and in your future days?
Will you walk into the darkness,
trusting God and trav'ling light,
setting out to live the gospel,
always keeping God in sight?
Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Genesis 12 vs 1-4
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.
8 7 8 7D
Tune: BETHANY
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