Sometimes the bible seems confused – a hymn inspired by Luke 6: 39 – 49

1	Sometimes the bible seems confused 
and full of contradiction
God give us grace to hear your word,
your clear resounding diction.

2 Give us the eyes to see your way
and follow where you lead us,
that through your word, the bread of life
you may fulfill and feed us.

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: 8 7 8 7
Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME

Not pushing for favours – hymn

Not pushing for favours – a hymn reflecting on Luke 6: 20 – 22

Not pushing for favours, nor craving acceptance,
but waiting in line for our moment to come,
and then love exalts us, affirms and promotes us,
yes this is gospel the, the source and the sum.

God raises the humble, the poor and afflicted,
the ones that society longs to despise.
God's values are different from those we might cherish.
God sees the down-trodden and wills them to rise.

And this is our calling, to set the example,
the gospel imperative lived out through grace,
to turn the world over till those who are hungry
can feast at the banquet prepared in this place.

The table is open, all people are welcome,
the children are dancing, the frail have found care.
The world and it's bounty is here for all people,
with no one excluded, where all learn to share.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2013 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
Tune: WAS LEBET WAS SCHWEBET

As published in The Seed now https://www.theworshipcloud.com/







Life is tough but God will hold us…

Life is tough, but God will hold -  us inspired by Psalm 132: 1 – 12 (13 – 18)

1 Life is tough, but God will hold us
through each hardship of our lives,
when our hope is torn to ribbons
grace is present, love survives.

2 God will feed us bread of heaven,
finest wine to slake our thirst.
Those who grieve will know God's comfort,
those who waited will be first.

3 Hear the faithful offer praises,
here the poor will shout for joy,
grace and hope will give forever
love that nothing can destroy.

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
Tunes: CROSS OF JESUS; LAUS DEO (Redhead)

The crumbs that spoke of broken bread – A hymn inspired by John 6: 51 – 58

The crumbs that spoke of broken bread - inspired by John 6: 51-58

1 The crumbs that spoke of broken bread,
remembered words that had been said,
the scattered fragments of a meal
had left them thinking, 'was this real'.
His flesh was torn, yes crucified,
it left them wond'ring, had he lied,
yet in another upper room,
he'd share again beyond that tomb.

2 They recognised the words he said,
they shared again that living bread,
and now the metaphor was real
within this simple, sacred meal.
Then looking in each other's face
they recognised a means of grace,
the meal they shared had brought Christ near,
they cast out one another's fear.

3 The love that held them was profound,
forever held, forever bound
and still today in every place
where bread is broken there is grace.
So take the bread and pour the wine
and let this moment form a sign
for every human come to birth,
that love will never leave this earth.

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: DLM
Tunes: YE BANKS AND BRAES; MERTHYR TYDFIL

A Hymn for the New Year – for Covenant

A hymn for the New Year, for Covenant


1 The year is new, do not resist,
for God is moving in our midst
who brings a covenant to birth,
of common wealth throughout the earth.

2 The atmosphere is cold and raw
and yet our God engenders awe:
is kneeling there to wash our feet,
to heal, to love, to kiss, to greet.

3 And in our healing we will find
a wholeness hidden, yet refined,
a God made known in every face,
each neighbour ministers God's grace.

4 And God says all is ready yet;
the meal prepared, the table set.
And will we come? And dare we share
the covenant that sounds God's care?

5 No complicated myth or sign
a simple meal of bread and wine,
speaks of the love that feeds us still:
come all who can, come all who will.

6 And when we rise and go our way,
remember who you met today,
who showed you love, who held, who healed,
who, in each neighbour, is revealed.

Andrew Pratt Words © 2010 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: LM