Baptised into being, the Lord of creation (Matthew 3:13-17)
1 Baptised into being, the Lord of creation:
the dove is descending the Spirit has come,
it soars and it swoops on the face of the waters,
Christ blessed in that moment, his mission begun.
2 Here John the Baptiser will pass on the baton,
though harsh and prophetic, his message, refined,
will gain a new purpose, as Jesus will challenge:
the powers and authorities now undermined.
3 But that will come later, for now for the honing
of all his integrity, knowledge and skill,
the Christ is cast out to the wilds of the desert,
where animals forage and hunger can kill.
4 And on his return he will live as God with us,
humanity clothed with both loving and grace,
to temper all justice with mercy, compassion,
a model of life for the whole human race.
5 And when will we walk in the steps of this master?
And when will we emulate what we see there:
inclusive and limitless love for creation
where all is of value and all deserve care?
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: 12 11 12 11
Tunes: ST CATHERINE’S COURT
Tag: justice
Magnificat challenges the status quo in a topsy–turvy, upturned world
Magnificat challenges the status quo in a topsy–turvy, upturned world
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 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 7 8 7 D Tune: CONSTANCE (Sullivan)
A hymn for going out – Now let us go from our praise and our worship
A hymn for going out - Now let us go from our praise and our worship
As the Methodist Conference recognises new Deacons and Presbyters might we all consider our own commitment to faith, love and justice - a hymn : Now let us go from our praise and out worship'....
Now let us go from our praise and our worship
out through these doors with the light of the world,
where we can share with our friends and our neighbours
love given freely to have and to hold.
There let us reach to the ones who seem distant,
those we might shun or see pushed to one side,
people less valued than those set around them,
those who the world would accost or deride.
Here is God’s grace and the power of God’s spirit,
here is the love that was seen on the cross,
these we will offer as our obligation,
giving our all, never counting the loss.
Then hand in hand with the neighbours around us,
seeking companionship all of our days,
we’ll follow after the one who has named us,
sharing our bread as we offer God praise.
Andrew Pratt, Words © 2014 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 10 11 10
Tune: EPIPHANY HYMN
When justice is impossible – can we sing?
1 When justice is impossible,
beyond our human scope;
when doubt and darkness celebrate
and we no longer cope,
give us, O God, the words to sing,
and faith to trust the end you bring.
2 From thundercloud, through wind and fire,
you act to bring release.
From bonds that we have forged ourselves
you come to bring us peace;
so give us, God, the words to sing,
and strength to trust the end you bring.
3 From our distress we call to you,
but yet we fear your hand,
for where we fail you will prevail
but will we live to stand?
O give us God, the words to sing
whatever end you need to bring.
4 Our mouths are open with the song,
we’re singing for our lives,
bring courage, give us strength, O God,
while human hope survives.
may alleluias fill that song
in spite of all our human wrong.
Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© 2006 Stainer & Bell Ltd
Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior permission from Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Tune: AUCH JETZT MACHT GOTT
Advent in uncertain times – Active love, not fearful frenzy – a hymn
Advent in uncertain times - Active love, not fearful frenzy
1 Active love, not fearful frenzy,
Is the path that we pursue,
Counterblast to alienation,
Struggle making all things new.
Facing up to common conflict,
Meeting arrogance with prayer,
Seeking to be one with Jesus,
Dignified amid despair.
2 Torture, fear and desecration
Paint the canvas of our lives;
But the picture, deeply woven,
Demonstrates that love survives.
Systems that would seek to scar us,
Mould us blindly to their trends,
We will overthrow with kindness,
Not be subject to their ends.
3 We will take the cross of Jesus
Into every sphere of life,
We will stand for peace and justice,
We will not succumb to strife.
We must meet this tribulation,
Live our lives, if need be, die;
Take no refuge in abstraction,
Take the cross and lift it high!
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 1997 Stainer & Bell Ltd
Words Andrew Pratt © 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 7 8 7 D Trochaic
Tune: BETHANY (Smart)
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