Pentecost signalled a time for a new start? A time of change for the disciples. For us? – a hymn ‘Is this a void, or just a time of challenge?’
Is this a void, or just a time of challenge,
a new found joy, beginning or an end?
Yet God has travelled with us on this journey
along with each acquaintance, neighbour, friend.
And will God leave us as we travel onward,
abandon us to all the future holds?
But God, is here, behind us and before us,
as every chance is greeted and unfolds.
So God, we offer thanks for every blessing,
for times of care and gifting, now long past,
and hand in hand we seek a common purpose,
assured that love and grace are sure to last.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 © 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: INTERCESSOR
Created by HymnQuest.com
Tag: grace
He stood with scarred and open hands – a hymn of resurrection
He stood with scarred and open hands - a hymn of resurrection inspired by John 20: 19-31
1 He stood with scarred and open hands,
their bloodied, but now risen, Lord,
incomprehension met his words,
their fear had tightened like a cord.
2 His word of peace rang in their ears,
yet they could hardly understand.
Bemused, unsettled, disbelief
meant that the fear they felt was fanned.
3 Yet here he stood, as flesh and blood,
a word of peace upon his lips,
but as they try to grasp at facts
their sense of meaning slides and slips.
4 He knew their need, for doubt and awe
was clouding each and every mind
but here was fish, he took and ate,
his human life was sealed and signed.
5 The path of pain that he had known
was grounded in necessity,
for perfect love was bound to face
self interest and hypocrisy.
6 And now they understood his words,
'come follow' echoed in their ears.
That self-same grace will call us all
and love will cancel out our fears.
Words: Andrew Pratt (born 1948) © 2012 Stainer & 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: LM Tune: BRESLAU
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
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