Tag: grace

Beware of what you think or say – Jesus and a Samaritan woman – a hymn

John 4: 5-42  v.7  A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’.

1           Beware of what you think or say,
              our actions give the lie,
              or offer evidence of faith
              for which we sing, or cry.
               
2           When challenged by a foreigner,
              a woman in her need,
              see Jesus shamed to change and act,
              her challenge sowed a seed.
               
3           Yes, Jesus heard her call for help
              and recognised her prayer,
              her faith was evident to him,
              as was his need to care.                         
               
4           If even Jesus changed his mind,
              when will we grasp the fact
              that scruples that we hold and guard
              mean less than how we act.
               
5           But faith depends on depths of love,
              compassion, care and grace;
              to see in those we disregard
              a sister’s, brother’s face.

© 2011 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  Tune: ABRIDGE; BELMON

God surprises us by kindness – a hymn of caring

1         God surprises us by kindness, 
           by another’s healing touch, 
           words that speak with understanding, 
           soothe where once we hurt so much.

2         We can never lose the tether 
           tying us to Godly grace,
           yet through human hands we’re lifted, 
           as we’re meeting face to face.

3         Simple acts of loving kindness, 
           bring us back to life again, 
           ease the burden of each moment, 
           share our sorrow, ease our pain.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)

© 2016 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 7 8 7

Tune: ST OSWALD

As published in http://www.theworshipcloud.com

Created by HymnQuest.com – HymnQuest links this text with Matthew 4:4

God surprises us by kindness – a hymn of caring with assurance and, perhaps, challenge

1	God surprises us by kindness, 
	by another’s healing touch, 
	words that speak with understanding, 
	soothe where once we hurt so much.

2	We can never lose the tether 
	tying us to Godly grace,
	yet through human hands we’re lifted, 
	as we’re meeting face to face.

3	Simple acts of loving kindness, 
	bring us back to life again, 
	ease the burden of each moment, 
	share our sorrow, ease our pain.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 2016 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 7 8 7
Tune: ST OSWALD

As published in http://www.theworshipcloud.com

Created by HymnQuest.com – HymnQuest links this text with Matthew 4:4

The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart – Inspired by Matthew 5: 13-20 – [note the unusual rhyme-scheme]

The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart - 
Inspired by Matthew 5: 13-20

The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart
provides re-creation, we make a new start 
for here love is grounded and grace can be found; 
for here God speaks quietly and whispers resound.
	
The cusp of the matter, yes, where God is found,
where questions are answered and sense is profound;
is here at the centre of children at play,
in work and in worship, or where people pray.
	
The spirit is dancing, philosophers play,
as hypocrites hide from the cold light of day,
a light that exposes each choice and each grudge
to God who through kindness, with mercy, will judge.
	
So answer each neighbour extinguish each grudge,
take Christ as your model and try not to smudge
the image of God that is found in your heart;
yes, join us in concert and each play your part.

Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© 2004 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: 11 11 11 11
Tune: SAINT DEINIO

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


As we spin on through boundless space – a New hymn for the New Year

As we spin on through boundless space – a New hymn for the New Year

As we spin on through boundless space     
and mark the seasons passing, 
we trust again the Cov’nant grace,
the love that's everlasting.

We carry grief across the years, 
some memories are fading,
while others sharp as broken glass
leave scars beyond evading.

And time will test the strength of loss,
a tensile strand still holds us, 
as love of family, friends and God
are strong, and still enfold us.

So  nothing now that breaks our peace
can once deflect time's arrow, 
that joins us by the grace of God
through every new tomorrow.

Andrew Pratt 21/12/2025
Words © 2025 © 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