Tag: universal

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

The comprehensive love of God – the Spirit will not be restrained – hymn for Pentecost

The comprehensive love of God - the Spirit will not be restrained, 

1	The comprehensive love of God 
	will reach all humankind, 
	the Spirit will not be restrained, 
	she cannot be confined.
	The breath of God infuses all 
	who live a life on earth, 
	the spark of God’s divinity 
	is with us at our birth. 

2	So how can we deny this love 
	to those whom God would own,
	for every person that we see, 
	by God, is fully known.
	These are our sisters, brothers, friends, 
	they are our kith and kin, 
	we have one parent, yes one God, 
	and here we must begin.

3	How can we set aside the ones 
	so treasured by our God, 
	who walk upon the self-same earth 
	that we, ourselves, have trod? 
	Then let us all embrace as one 
	all nations and all creeds, 
	to show God’s love to each and all 
	in words and human deeds.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 2015 Stainer and 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 6 8 6 D
Tune: KINGSFOLD; ELLACOMBE

‘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.