justice – hymnsandbooks

Thoughts on how we use language – the need for listening and empathy

If we share a common humanity what matters in terms of how language is used is not what we think is affirming or hurtful BUT how those being addressed, or described, receive what is being said.

If I feel affirmed or put down by how I am named or described that is real for me, however the person addressing me feels about what they are saying.

Empathy and listening is needed before we condemn changes in language that we might see as ‘fashionable’ or unnecessary.

All of this ought to apply to our day to day conversation as we recognise the common humanity we share with one another, whatever name, creed, gender, orientation, self-identification or other criteria.

It is equally important in public documents and conversation, politically, in religious worship and in every other sphere

The key word in all of this is simply KINDNESS.

A time to reconsider – a hymn inspired by Matthew 4:12-23

A time to reconsider – inspired by Matthew 4:12-23

1	A time to reconsider, 
	to pause, to reassess;
	when crisis comes with challenge, 
	how can God come to bless?
	And yet a light is shining, 
	we cannot understand 
	that at this time of turning 
	God sharpens what we planned.
	
2	As Jesus felt the tension,
	while John slept in a cell, 
	the challenge was beginning 
	and he would sound the knell.
	Now in our time the echo 
	reverberates with fear, 
	and will we face our challenge
	of bringing justice near?
	
3	To face the grief and sorrow, 
	to live with scorn and hate, 
	to live love undiluted 
	before it is too late?
	A time to reconsider, 
	to pause, to reassess;
	when crisis comes with challenge, 
	how can God come to bless?

Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Isaiah 9 vs 1- 4 and Matthew 4 vs 12-23
Words Andrew Pratt © 2010 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.
v.2 l.8 alt by the author 2026
Metre: 7 6 7 6 D
Tune: CRUGER

Created by HymnQuest.com

Baptised into being, the Lord of creation – hymn inspired by Matthew 3:13-17)

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

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