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
Tag: grace
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
A hymn in anticipation of Advent – The crash of constellations
A hymn in anticipation of Advent - The crash of constellations
1 The crash of constellations,
where prejudice divides,
where love is torn and broken,
where hatred still resides,
is where we meet as equals
and share what God has given,
diversity in concord,
a foretaste of God's heaven.
2 This is the time for praying,
yet prayer is not the end,
for reconciliation
needs grace that God will send.
And in that grace our vision,
our eyes are opened wide,
to see Christ in the other,
and then we must decide:
3 Is love of God yet greater
than human words and creeds?
Is love of neighbour furnished
by human loving deeds?
And can we live together
or must we be apart,
because of human diff'rence
though we are one in heart?
4 God give us grace to fathom
the riches of your care,
and then the strength to shoulder
the ministry we bear;
that working with each other
acknowledging the worth
of love we share together
we'll spread your peace on earth.
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: 7 6 7 6 7 6
Tune: THORNBURY
Making much of clever counsel – a hymn inspired by Luke 20:27-38
Making much of clever counsel – a hymn inspired by Luke 20:27-38
1 Making much of clever counsel
lawyers sought to trip and flaw.
Jesus answered with God’s wisdom,
offered grace to cut through law.
2 God of Jesus, God of Moses,
God of Hannah and of Ruth;
God of Dorcas, God of Peter,
help us understand your truth
3 Held by things that do not matter,
we can sometimes miss our place,
nothings fuel our indignation
still we’re blinded to your grace.
4 Open eyes and hearts to kindness,
help us see beyond the lies
that would complicate your goodness,
God with grace awake, surprise!
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
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: 8 7 8 7 Tune: ALL FOR JESUS
A Hymn for International Day of Peace – ‘Here is Peace’
A Hymn for International Day of Peace - Here is Peace
In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly declared the third Tuesday of September as International Day of Peace. This day coincided with the opening day of the annual sessions of the General Assembly. The purpose of the day was and still remains, to strengthen the ideals of peace around the world.
Two decades after establishing this day of observance, in 2001, the assembly moved the date to be observed annually on September 21. So, beginning in 2002, September 21 marks not only a time to discuss how to promote and maintain peace among all peoples but also a 24-hour period of global ceasefire and non-violence for groups in active combat (I am grateful to Rev’d Pat Bilsborrow for drawing my attention to this day).
Hymn: Here is Peace
Here is peace, when grace astounds us
quelling all our wild pretence.
Here is peace, shalom and kindness,
passion ruled by reasoned sense.
Here is peace, when grace engenders
love that neither fades nor ends.
Here is peace when people welcome;
enemies become as friends.
Here is peace, when grace surprises
ignorance with words of hope.
Here is peace, to light our senses:
see, God’s love has boundless scope.
Words: Andrew Pratt written while listening to Mr D. Rutter, preacher, in Comberbach Methodist Church 2004; © 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: 8.7.8.7.
Tune: ADORATION (Hunt)
A tune can be found here – Traditional Latvian Melody
A commentary on the text and tune (with an out of date biography) can be found here.
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