Tag: Jesus

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

A hymn for the reality of Jesus’ birth –  Christmas Day

1         Bloodied baby, cradled gently
           at a manger birth.
           Bloodied saviour, injured, dying,
           taking leave of earth.
           Love incarnate demonstrating
           all the depth of human worth.

2         In each death a resurrection
           hidden yet from sight;
           in our life’s humiliation,
           healing, softened light.
           Hope has risen, death no prison,
           love has banished endless night.

3         Slightest light then burning glory
           sets the earth ablaze,
           morning light of love’s own story,
           kindles all our praise;
           in the garden, quietly waking,
           see the Lord of years and days.

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: 8 5 8 5 8 7 Tune: ANGEL VOICES

A hymn for Christmas Day - Bloodied baby, cradled gently at a manger birth

1 	Bloodied baby, cradled gently
	at a manger birth.
	Bloodied saviour, injured, dying,
	taking leave of earth.
	Love incarnate demonstrating
	all the depth of human worth.

2 	In each death a resurrection
	hidden yet from sight;
	in our life’s humiliation,
	healing, softened light.
	Hope has risen, death no prison,
	love has banished endless night.

3 	Slightest light then burning glory
	sets the earth ablaze,
	morning light of love’s own story,
	kindles all our praise;
	in the garden, quietly waking,
	see the Lord of years and days.

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: 8 5 8 5 8 7
Tune: ANGEL VOICES



Jerusalem awaits me – based on – Luke 13.31-35

Jerusalem awaits me

1	'Jerusalem awaits me', 
	said Jesus to the crowd, 
	yet they would jeer and taunt him 
	and curse his name out loud.
	'Today I cast out demons, 
	tomorrow I will heal
	The third day I will finish 			
	the things I came to seal’.	   	
	
2	In childhood he was harassed 
	and Herod sought his blood; 
	and now that fox still needed 
	to fell him where he stood; 
	but Jesus was as cunning 
	as those who wished to kill
	and later in the garden, 
	would seek to do God's will.
	
3	Here comes the man of blessing,
	the Christ that they would kill, 
	and those who seek to worship, 
	must also seek his will. 
	God give us strength to follow,
	and give us grace to serve, 
	to follow Jesus' footsteps, 
	to never lose our nerve.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Lent 2 - Luke 13.31-35
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: 7 6 7 6 D
Tune: THORNBURY

A hymn for Transfiguration – ‘So tired with the heat and the height of their climbing’

So tired with the heat and the height of their climbing, 
now resting where eagles might shelter their young, 
disciples had followed, but Jesus now left them, 
to wander yet higher, compelled he went on.

And now in a light that transfigured their vision, 
the one they called Master was standing alone,
and yet it appeared that some others stood with him, 
in whiteness, in brightness, the clouds like a throne.

The dazzle was blinding for those who were watching, 
but then it seemed Jesus was heading back down, 
the vision had faded, the moment was passing, 
Messiah they’d called him who shunned any crown;

until on a hilltop, mid rubbish and slander, 
this ‘king’ was hung out in the sun, set to dry;
crossed out between those others deemed rough and worthless, 
the poor and discarded for whom he would die.

To those who had hung him, he offered forgiveness, 
a crucified robber was paradise bound; 
the poor he exalted, the widow, the stranger, 
found love in this preacher who turns lives around.

Andrew E Pratt
Words © 2018 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: 12 11 12 11
Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO

Another hymn for Maundy Thursday from Marjorie Dobson

Another hymn for Maundy Thursday from Marjorie Dobson (see also 'A towel and a basin')

1	At the table of communion 
	Jesus spoke with heavy heart 
	of the pain of separation, 
	soon to tear them all apart.
	Listening without understanding, 
	too absorbed with food and wine, 
	carefree friends could read no meaning 
	in his simple words and sign.
	
2	Bread was broken, as his body:  
	wine, a symbol of his blood. 
	Yet his call to keep that memory 
	was not clearly understood.
	Judas left, but no one noticed, 
	thought his business was his own.
	Jesus, looking round the table, 
	knew himself to be alone.
	
3	As they sang their psalm that evening, 
	then went out into the night 
	innocent of apprehension, 
	unprepared for fear or flight, 
	how their hopes and dreams were shattered, 
	confidence was turned to dread 
	and as chaos ruled around them, 
	one by one they turned and fled.
	
4	As they witnessed pain and horror-
	trial, cross and guarded tomb-
	they remembered Jesus' warning 
	given in that upper room.
	Struggling hard to find the meaning, 
	in symbolic word and sign. 
	they would find that same communion 
	we still share in bread and wine.

Marjorie Dobson (born 1940)
Words © 2019 © 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 8 7 8 7
Tunes: DIM OND IESU; LEWIS FOLK MELODY
From UNRAVELLING THE MYSTERIES, along with poems and other readings.