Andrew Pratt
Hymn - So stunned by what she heard then saw
Hymn - So stunned by what she heard then saw
by Andrew Pratt
So stunned by what she heard then saw, a voice was calling out her name, and turning she was shocked by joy for Jesus walked into the frame. Not long before she’d watched him die, the victim of a murderous act, she saw him lose his grasp on life, a witness to this dying fact. Ver…
Hymn - As hollow as her loneliness
Hymn - As hollow as her loneliness
by Andrew Pratt
As hollow as her loneliness, the emptiness of space, the chilling of the morning air had seemed devoid of grace. She heard a whisper, just the breeze that rustled leaves near by. Her feet had crunched across the stones, her breath a simple sigh. And then with sudden recklessnes…
Hymn - Frantic, terrified, the women
Hymn - Frantic, terrified, the women
by Andrew Pratt
Frantic, terrified, the womenrunning from the empty tomb. Not a sense of resurrection, more a sign of fear and gloom. Who had run off with the body? Were they watching somewhere near? Were these mourners now suspected? Should they hide? Their fate seemed clear. Verses 3-5 follow …
Hymn - God makes no distinctions, all people are welcome
Hymn - God makes no distinctions, all people are welcome
by Andrew Pratt
God makes no distinctions, all people are welcome, the rich or the poor, yes, the free and the slave. The depth of God's loving is boundless, impartial, a love that is stronger than death or the grave. The message had spread from the very beginning, the love that they nailed to t…
Hymn - A feast for the nations, the Christ is exalted
Hymn - A feast for the nations, the Christ is exalted
by Andrew Pratt
A feast for the nations, the Christ is exalted, our tears have diminished, the darkness has gone, the death that had shrouded their past conversations, now put in perspective for love would go on. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO 12.11.12.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Wo…
Hymn - What was the weather like that day
Hymn - What was the weather like that day
by Andrew Pratt
What was the weather like that day? Cold, wet and overcast with rain, or bright and warm with sun and clouds? What formed the back cloth to this pain? What motivated those who came, to watch this scene, to play this game? There is so much we do not know, save tortured death withi…
Hymn - God of unexpected action
Hymn - God of unexpected action
by Andrew Pratt
God of unexpected action kneeling with the towel and bowl, humbled for this time and season, humbling now and making whole. Jesus so revered, respected, prophet, preacher, even Lord, now is acting as a servant, doing things his friends abhorred. Verses 3-5 follow © Andrew Pratt 2…
Hymn - Who shares this wine? Who dips this bread
Hymn - Who shares this wine? Who dips this bread
by Andrew Pratt
Who shares this wine? Who dips this bread? Was Judas hesitant or calm, the moment Jesus sent him out to raise that awful, crazed alarm? The others looked around, askance, not sure what this might sign or seal. They whispered, questioned; all too soon resumed this fated, final mea…
Hymn - Now is the judgment of the world
Hymn - Now is the judgment of the world
by Andrew Pratt
Now is the judgment of the world, the crisis that we face, the magnet of God's dying love, the choice of hate or grace. To move where God's attraction draws, to follow with the flow, to stand defiant, out of line, to stay, or yet to go. Verses 3-4 follow © Andrew Pratt 21/2/2012 …
Hymn - Strange how perfume marked this moment
Hymn - Strange how perfume marked this moment
by Andrew Pratt
Strange how perfume marked this moment, days away from fear and pain, here a woman disregarded, sharing in this time of strain came anointing, unexpected, wouldn’t pass this way again. Verse 2-3 follow Tune: GRAFTON 8.7.8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 21/2/2012 Stainer…
Prayer - We are 'fearfully and wonderfully made'
Prayer - We are 'fearfully and wonderfully made'
by Andrew Pratt
Prayer We are 'fearfully and wonderfully made', said the Psalmist. Each one of us human, yet bearing a spark of the divine, of our almighty, humble, vulnerable God; You are our God, And we are your people. Each of us is bound to the other by intangible strands, cords of love, at …
Grumpy, graceless human beings
Grumpy, graceless human beings
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Grumpy, graceless human beings Proper 20 Year A Exodus 16: 2-15 Grumpy, graceless human beings angry at their lot; Moses once had been their idol, but they soon forgot. Slaves set free should be more grateful, but we’re just the same; satisfaction soon exhausted, ready to c…
Our lives have shown how change and chance
Our lives have shown how change and chance
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Our lives have shown how change and chance Second Sunday after Pentecost Psalm 13 Our lives have shown how change and chance can ebb and flow, bring joy or pain, and though we sometimes turn from you in need we cry and pray again. Sometimes if feels as though you've gone, f…
God had gone up with a shout
God had gone up with a shout
by Andrew Pratt
God had gone up with a shout, sound the trumpets, humble humanity raised into light. Stunned by the after-shock, standing in wonder, orphaned disciples were thrust into night. Ours is their heritage born out of history, yet God transcends all the life that we know: grounding and …
I wondered as I wandered
I wondered as I wandered
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: Adam’s reflection - I wondered as I wandered First Sunday in Lent Year A Genesis 2: 15 – 17; 3; 1 – 7 I wondered as I wandered at the meaning of it all, I had seen the apple's greening, I had watched the leaflets fall. I had started at first sunrise, at the blinding of my e…
HYMN - False is the fasting, and foul is the purpose
HYMN - False is the fasting, and foul is the purpose
by Andrew Pratt
False is the fasting, and foul is the purpose, rich the injustice the Godless pursue; this is the judgment we hear prophets speaking, seeking to challenge, restore and renew. Where are the humble and those who are open, facing in honesty all they have done Where are the righteous…
Searching seeking people clamoured