A topsy, turvy, upturned world, where values are distorted, the first is last and last is first with everything contorted. The rich are begging at the door while ones they were despising are given charge of Godly wealth, in stature they are rising. Magnificat has come to stay, the proud have been extinguished; the humble poor are lifted high, their poverty relinquished. The reign of God has come to pass rebutting our world's choices, each one that we would count as last within this time rejoices. And will we ever find a place with pride and wealth rejected, or will hypocrisy deny our need to be accepted? The choice is ours, the crisis dawns, the time to make decisions, to stand with God or walk alone within this world's divisions. 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: 8.7.6.7 D Tune: CONSTANCE
Tag: hypocrisy
Hymn at a time when people feel excluded – God, save us from the platitudes
God values all – Joel 2: 28 – 29 – hymn at a time when people feel excluded. The prophet Joel said: 28 Then afterwards I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
1 God, save us from the platitudes, the empty prayers and hollow praise that blind us to hypocrisy of every thoughtless word or phrase. O take us, mend us, make us one until your work on earth is done. 2 When pride and selfishness demand our rights when others suffer hurt, when greed and use of wealth exploit and push our neighbours in the dirt yes, take us, mend us, make us one until your work on earth is done. 3 Within a world of fear-built walls of colour, social class or creed, God, help us look with Christ-lit eyes for Christ within another's need; O, take us, mend us, make us one until your work on earth is done. 4 O God of fundamental grace in which your church has grown and stands, great God of self-denying love may hatred die in every land. Yes, take us, mend us, make us one until your peace on earth is won. 5 Then graceful hospitality may welcome angels unaware, until your all inclusive love spans though all time, is everywhere, for by your grace we now are one, your hope is gained, your work is done. Andrew E Pratt (born 1948) 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 8 8 Tune: ABINGDON
People that manage, manipulate markets – Luke 16:1-13
This hymn reflects on the lectionary Gospel reading for this coming Sunday – Luke 16:1-13
People that manage, manipulate markets,
using their skills just to maximise gain.
This is the focus that holds their attention,
working for profit, their purpose is plain.
Stewards work hard for their own satisfaction,
building on networks of interest and need,
moulding, with passion, each new situation,
earning is motive and profit is creed.
How single-minded is our Christian service?
Can we see Christ there in poverty's face?
What is our vision, our main motivation,
selfish enhancement, or self-giving grace.
© Andrew Pratt 3/9/2013 Please include on your CCL return
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.
Tunes: STEWARDSHIP; LIEBSTER IMMANUEL, ST NINIAN (Dykes)
Metre: 11.10.11.10
Hymn at a time of ‘levelling up’ – A promise of heaven is fine if you’re dead
A promise of heaven is fine if you’re dead,
but we’re in the present, need food and need bread,
the Christ that we ‘worship’ to whom we might pray,
would heal in the present, feed folk in his day.
And that still has meaning where poverty kills,
where selfishness injures – that’s not what God wills.
A levelling up, to which we might aspire,
says yes to the sacrifice God would require.
To follow the Christ child from manger to cross,
involves our self-giving not counting the loss,
to take from the poor while we bolster our wealth,
confirms our hypocrisy, signs our ill-health.
The world Jesus promised in action and word
made selfishness something both cruel and absurd;
to love every neighbour of each race and creed,
gave all of God’s grace to meet all the world’s need.
Andrew Pratt; 15/7/2021
Words © 2020 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, http://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
Hymn in relation to the killing of George Floyd, USA – WITH A NEW TUNE – and AUDIO
The will for domination leaves carnage in its wake,
as neighbours are berated, while peace and justice quake.
A dream once spoke of freedom, embodied hope and grace,
now all of that is challenged, with hatred in its place.
Hostility is breeding as loving is outlawed.
Hypocrisy and violence once left a saviour floored.
So what is there to save us when leaders lose all sense?
When governments are faulted, we daren’t sit on the fence?
Our common human nature, the seed of human love,
must hold us at the centre beyond the push and shove,
must live beyond this moment, must meet each human need,
when other things divide us, while neighbours die or bleed.
God bind our lives together, fulfil our living dream,
that hearts might cleave together beyond each human scheme,
that love might reign triumphant in every human heart.
Now is the time for building, the time for us to start.
Andrew Pratt 2/6/2020
Words © 2020 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, http://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: 7.6.7.6. D set as 13.13.13.13
Tune: AURELIA; CRUGER; PASSION CHORALE;
NEW TUNE SETTING BY JOHN KLEINHEKSEL
Click link for setting: Pratt.v.Will.4.Domination.George.FloydPratt.v.Will.4.Domination.George
Click link to access audio:
hymnsandbooks 