Tag: John Wesley

A spark exists within us all – alludes to John Wesley’s experience of a strangely warmed heart on the 24th May 1738 as we approach Pentecost

A spark exists within us all - Richard Rolle wrote of the fire of love - this hymn reflects that theme but also alludes to John Wesley’s experience of a strangely warmed heart on the 24th May 1738.

1	A spark exists within us all
	that, fanned, will form a flame of love;
	so let cold embers warm and glow
	then, flickering, dancing, leap above.

2	This sign of pre-existent power,
	the ground of all enlightenment,
	the blaze of which we share a part
	is love that shimmers heaven bent.

3	So let that universal flame,
	that fire which cannot be confined,
	ignite a spirit in the world
	transcending bounds of space and time.

4	Then all the earth consumed by love;
	awakened, warmed, and fused as one,
	will know a single sense of joy
	as all rejoice beneath the sun. Amen!

Words Andrew Pratt © 2002 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 LM
Tune: GONFALON ROYAL
Created by HymnQuest.com

A hymn for renewing our Covenant – God’s love can never be undone

As Methodists enter a season of renewing their Covenant with God, this hymn is a reminder that, whatever might befall, we cannot be separated from Love. 

1	God's love can never be undone, 
	the covenant be broken, 
	God's mercy never fades or ends, 
	the source of grace has spoken.
	
2	No disobedience demands
	a final separation, 
	whatever we have said or done 
	brings us no condemnation.
	
3	Our history shows a God of love, 
	not one of crass rejection, 
	audacious love is ours because 
	of God's divine affection.

Andrew 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 7 8 7
Tune: ST COLUMBA (Irish)

‘With tender conviction’ – Wesley’s Catholic Spirit – a poem (or a song seeking a tune?)

Catholic Spirit 



With tender conviction I sense love is calling, 

no grace is withheld, nor forgiveness repressed, 

all people are held in unfathomable comfort, 

this love is eternal, forever expressed. 



The judgment some fear is a human construction, 

for grace is a scandal for those who would judge, 

they see it as fair to condemn, exact hatred, 

while mercy is something they want to begrudge. 



For me none is distanced from love by an action, 

a word or a deed, we might not understand,

yet God’s love is wider, beyond comprehension, 

if you share this creed, my friend, give me your hand!



[For me none is distanced from love by an action, 

compassionate grace, could not set us apart,

for God’s love is wider, beyond comprehension, 

if you share this creed, then we are of one heart.]*



*Alternative last stanza after conversation and critique by Pesky Methodists, thankyou!



© Andrew Pratt 5am 29/11/2021 - 4/12/2021

Link to A version of John Wesley’s sermon



Best of all is God is with us – Hymn for Wesley Day – 24th May

1 Best of all is God is with us,
God will hold and never fail.
Keep that truth when storms are raging,
God remains though faith is frail.

2 Best of all is God is with us,
life goes on and needs are met,
God is strongest in our weakness.
Love renews, will not forget.

3 Best of all is God is with us,
hearts are challenged, strangely warmed,
faith is deepened, courage strengthened,
grace received and hope reformed.

4 Best of all is God is with us,
in our joy and through our pain,
till that final acclamation:
‘life is Christ, but death is gain’.

5 Best of all is God is with us
as we scale eternal heights,
love grows stronger, undiminished;
earth grows dim by heaven’s lights.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2008 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: 8 7 8 7
Tune: CHAPEL BRAE

Words based on those attributed to John Wesley on his death bed: ‘Best of all is God is with us’. First published in Poppies and Snowdrops available from the author.

See here for a commentary on this hymn: Best of all is God is with us