Tag: re-creation

We do not know, we cannot tell – a hymn – As seasons turn

We do not know, we cannot tell – a hymn - As seasons turn Autumn (or Fall, however we name it) heralds Winter, but Spring will offer new creation. How much do we need human intervention for such hope, such  radical, new ways of thinking and living in the world today.

1	We do not know, we cannot tell, 
	the reason or the season, 
	the time of things that are to come, 
	the time of God's completion.
	
2	At last the spirit will reform, 
	will counter alteration, 
	will clear the way for Love to rule, 
	God's final consummation.
	
3	The image of a cloud would shape 
	a sign of elevation, 
	a metaphor for earth and heaven's 
	intimate connection.
	
4	And words relate what minds still doubt, 
	though faith would make assertion,
	that Christ in God is God again, 
	allowing love's dispersion.
	
5	Then from this day the path, the way,  
	took human intervention, 
	and love still lives, still forms our lives 
	through constant re-creation.

Andrew 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: 8 7 8 7
Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME
Created by HymnQuest.com

Coniston © Andrew Pratt 2019

The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart – Inspired by Matthew 5: 13-20 – [note the unusual rhyme-scheme]

The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart - 
Inspired by Matthew 5: 13-20

The tangent, the touching, where God warms each heart
provides re-creation, we make a new start 
for here love is grounded and grace can be found; 
for here God speaks quietly and whispers resound.
	
The cusp of the matter, yes, where God is found,
where questions are answered and sense is profound;
is here at the centre of children at play,
in work and in worship, or where people pray.
	
The spirit is dancing, philosophers play,
as hypocrites hide from the cold light of day,
a light that exposes each choice and each grudge
to God who through kindness, with mercy, will judge.
	
So answer each neighbour extinguish each grudge,
take Christ as your model and try not to smudge
the image of God that is found in your heart;
yes, join us in concert and each play your part.

Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
© 2004 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: 11 11 11 11
Tune: SAINT DEINIO

New Advent hymn – A quiet chill that freezes expectation

A quiet chill that freezes expectation, 
the hope of love seems distant and remote 
as war and hate are whirling all around us, 
we wait for light of which the prophets wrote.

There is no peace, no reconciliation 
as factions fired by hatred seethe and kill, 
when will it end, this constant devastation, 
when will we learn to listen, to be still? 
[When will we listen to each other, share one will?]

This advent season, dawn of love’s foundation 
is born in darkness of eternal night, 
and yet a flicker bids us hasten onward, 
as purple shadows hint at morning light.

And in this moment in our preparation 
let’s put aside our fripperies and fear, 
to make new space for gracious re-creation.
Come God, in love at last, come now, draw near. 
[Come God infuse your love in us, O come, draw near.]

Words Andrew Pratt © 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
Tunes: INTERCESSOR, [LONDONDERRY AIR]

Note: Using the tune: INTERCESSOR sing as a four verse hymn. Ignore words in [square] brackets.
Using LONDONDERRY AIR combine verses 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 to make a two verse hymn using the use the words in  [square] brackets for the last line of each verse.