One day, I dream, our children will not hunger – inspired by Zacchaeus
One day, I dream, our children will not hunger:
when I have put aside my grasping greed,
when neighbours are true friends we love and cherish,
when hand in hand we meet each human need.
I long to greet that day when human crying
is heard no more upon this ravaged earth,
when children grow in hope and not in horror,
not fearful of food’s scarcity or dearth.
I scan the distance, glimpsing heaven’s embers,
an afterglow of all that might have been,
reminding of what still might be before us
if we can act with love within this scene.
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2023 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: 11 10 11 10
LORD OF THE YEARS
O PERFECT LOVE
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Tag: need
She felt just like a ragged dog – a hymn based on Matthew 15: 21-28
She felt just like a ragged dog - a hymn based on Matthew 15: 21-28 1 She felt just like a ragged dog that scratched around for food, denied, despised and kicked aside and never any good. 2 Yet now she stood inside the door and pleaded with this man, for each taboo had little weight, her grief had wider span. 3 Her child had need of healing help and she would make Christ hear, the urgency of anguished need had overcome her fear. 4 And in that moment he would learn, audacity would teach that human laws and well worn creeds put no-one out of reach. 5 Compassion ruled and loved compelled to action on that day, and Jesus' reach was broadened as he learnt that grace held sway. Andrew E Pratt (born 1948) Words © 2012 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: CM Tune: AULD LANG SYNE
Hymn – Martin Luther King – still for our time – a hymn for today – I have a dream…
I have a dream that on a day not very long from now, all war-like weapons will be banned; by grace, God, show us how. I have a dream that love will hear another's crying need, that justice will demand we act in spite of race or creed. I have a dream that everyone upon this far-flung earth will see the Christ in those around, affirm a common worth. I have a dream that peace will come and hunger cease to be; within this time, this present age, all people will be free. I have a dream that foolish dreams like this might come about if you and I go hand in hand, in trust instead of doubt. I have a dream, come take my hand, the risk is worth the chance, the world will spin, turn upside down if we join heaven's dance. Andrew E Pratt (born 1948) Words © 2015 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. Hope Publishing in the USA From More than hymns Metre: CMD Tune: KINSFOLD
‘This sudden Sabbath gives us pause’ – a hymn response to the Coronavirus crisis – link to new tune by John Kleinheksel added
This sudden Sabbath gives us pause
to rest and to reflect.
What is the focus of our lives
and what is its effect?
We live within a common world,
whatever race or creed;
for things maintaining life and health,
we share a common need.
For some a love of God becomes the
centre of their prayer,
but such a love’s a hollow boast
when neighbours have no care.
The early Christians took the lead
of Jesus as their style,
to hold in common all they had,
to go the second mile.
When people safe-guard all they have,
while others queue in fear,
when those who have are given more,
while hunger’s drawing near;
where is our faith, our common love,
as cries become more stark,
when poverty crowds round our door,
the future clouded, dark?
Now is the moment for us all
to live what we confess,
to live within community
the faith that we profess.
Then let us stand as one with all
we share a common birth,
that on until eternity
love holds each life on earth.
Andrew Pratt 18/3/2020 – In response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Tune: COE FEN; SOLL’S SEIN
New Tune: This.Sudden.Sabbsth.virus.2021.Pratt
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.
Maundy Thursday – Good Friday – Pilate
God or self? the timeless question,
greeting all of humankind.
When we meet Christ in our neighbour
God and self should be aligned.
Will we wash our hands of duty
when decisions must be made,
simply standing at on the sidelines
when the action could be played?
Will we emphasise compassion,
or the greed of our desire,
light the lamp of love among us
or extinguish hidden fire?
Will we build up walls of hatred
shielding us from human need,
or reach out with loving kindness
to the ones we ought to feed?
When we meet Christ in our neighbour
God and self should be aligned.
God or self? the timeless question,
greeting all of humankind.
Andrew Pratt 14/4/2019 After a sermon by Tim Simms
Tune: ALL FOR JESUS
Words © 2019 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.
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