A perfect storm – hymn Mark 4: 35 – 41

A perfect storm, as Galilee June 23rd Lectionary Mark 4 35 – 41 
Hymn: A perfect storm, as Galilee

A perfect storm, as Galilee
became a foaming maelstrom,
the boats were spun and tossed like corks,
no more a sluggish doldrum.

And through it all their friend had dozed,
the chaos found him sleeping
while panic reigned, fear took control,
as crashing waves were sweeping.

A desperate cry, 'we perish, Lord',
they shook him to his senses.
Then at a word the storm was stilled
disarming their defences.

'What little faith you have, my friends,
why let such fear possess you?
See how the wind and waves obey,
how peace has come to bless you'.

What they had seen disturbed those men,
it rocked things sure and tested;
to meet with God upon that lake,
left doubt and fear arrested
Andrew Pratt
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.
Tune: 8.7.8.7
Metre: ST COLUMBA (Irish); DOMINUS REGIT ME

We strain to hear the voice of God – hymn Epiphany 2

Hymn: We strain to hear the voice of God


We strain to hear the voice of God,
this God who knows us inside out,
a whispered voice of gentleness
that never seeks to force or shout.

Christ's voice was heard in Galilee
by those who had the ears to hear,
he challenged hypocrites with truth
while sinners, sensing love, drew near.

His crazy, crafted way of life,
gave little hint where it might lead,
and yet the people followed him,
each word of Christ met hidden need;

for he addressed with present sense
a desert way of wilderness,
or else the intellectual task
within the city's busyness.

'Come follow me', hear Jesus say,
to those who answered to his call;
and in our present time and place
may we respond and give our all. Amen.

Andrew Pratt 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
Metre: 8 8 8 8
Tune: GONFALON ROYAL
Second Sunday after Epiphany, 1 Samuel 3: 1-10 (11-20), Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; John 1:43-51