Hymn: Father of Jesse and father of David
Hymn: Father of Jesse and father of David
by Andrew Pratt
Father of Jesse and father of David, born of a foreigner here in their midst: Ruth would nurse Obed, then comfort and nurture. Boaz brought safety it seemed she had missed. Now as we listen we re-tell this story, try to untangle the mystery and worth, one thing is certain: a love…
Hymn: Divided nations but one parent
Hymn: Divided nations but one parent
by Andrew Pratt
Divided nations but one parent, the God of one and God of all; and now in praise and joyful worship as nations sing, each voice will call. Then through the wealth of grace and glory, may God's own Spirit fill each heart, until in Christ we all are rooted, within one ground to bea…
Hymn: Evil intention, skilful deception
Hymn: Evil intention, skilful deception
by Andrew Pratt
Evil intention, skilful deception, devious plotting, bent on revenge; heart fired by hatred, nothing now sacred, John's words of judgment she would avenge. Then came the moment, see her opponent, vulnerable prisoner, she'd seal his fate. Dancing for Herod opened the scabbard, off…
Hymn: Familiar man
Hymn: Familiar man
by Andrew Pratt
Familiar man, beneath contempt, they knew him all too well, a common carpenter from town without a tale to tell. And now the words they heard contained authority and power. They listened to each utterance and soon their thoughts turned sour. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: MACPHERSON’S F…
Hymn: Confounding the people, confusing the clever
Hymn: Confounding the people, confusing the clever
by Andrew Pratt
Confounding the people, confusing the clever, Christ spoke of his flesh as like bread, bringing grace. And now we assemble, re-member that moment: break bread, pour out wine in our time in the place. Verses 2- 3 follow Tune: ST CATHERINE’S COURT Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Prat…
Hymn: Crooked wall and crooked people
Hymn: Crooked wall and crooked people
by Andrew Pratt
Crooked wall and crooked people, Amos pointed out the fact, called by God to hold a plumb-line, testing thought and word and act. Were they upright, understanding? Did they live by love and grace? Were they fair in all their dealings? Had God's loving left a trace? Verse 3 follow…
Hymn: Grace and peace to all God's people
Hymn: Grace and peace to all God's people
by Andrew Pratt
Grace and peace to all God's people from the Word before all worlds, all transcendent cosmic lover, in our presence grace unfolds. Born into the world among us, Christ the Word, incarnate Love knowing human strength and weakness, raise our eyes to things above. Verses 3-4 follows…
Hymn: Hands open to the world
Hymn: Hands open to the world
by Andrew Pratt
Hands open to the world, our hearts aflame with praise, our senses tuned, at one with God, to learn and walk Christ's ways. The living waters stream with blessings from above, these splashing, foaming cataracts will douse us all with love. Verse 3 follows Tune: DAY OF PRAISE, FRA…
Hymn: He felt exhausted, worn and drained
Hymn: He felt exhausted, worn and drained
by Andrew Pratt
He felt exhausted, worn and drained, his muscles and his mind were taut. He needed solitude and rest from pressures that his care had brought. He needed time to set aside the burdens that he chose to hold. To find again God's peace and grace, to warm a heart that might grow cold.…
Hymn: Great God of change and constant contradiction
Hymn: Great God of change and constant contradiction
by Andrew Pratt
Great God of change and constant contradiction, we sense your presence everywhere we go; while you transcend all human understanding, our praise on earth will sing, will rise and grow. How can we reach beyond our human compass? Great God, your grace can bring us to our knees. Our…
Hymn: He stood with scarred and open hands
Hymn: He stood with scarred and open hands
by Andrew Pratt
He stood with scarred and open hands, their bloodied, but now risen, Lord, incomprehension met his words, their fear had tightened like a cord. His word of peace rang in their ears, yet they could hardly understand. Bemused, unsettled, disbelief meant that the fear they felt was …
Hymn: Heirs of Christ and God's own children
Hymn: Heirs of Christ and God's own children
by Andrew Pratt
Heirs of Christ and God's own children, God our parent, yet a friend, Abba, we still pray before you: source of freedom without end. Slaves no longer: liberation, free to serve and free to pray, free to live our lives for justice, Verse 3 follows © Andrew Pratt 14/5/2012 Tune: …
Hymn: Hard sayings of Jesus that challenge and test
Hymn: Hard sayings of Jesus that challenge and test
by Andrew Pratt
Hard sayings of Jesus that challenge and test, that bring us to crisis, will not let us rest. Confronted by holiness, righteousness, light, our lives are exposed whether wrongful or right. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: DATCHET Metre: 11.11.11.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 23/8/…
Hymn: He speaks of peace while all inside
Hymn: He speaks of peace while all inside
by Andrew Pratt
He speaks of peace while all inside disciples’ minds are churned about; their memories haunt their waking time, while day and night are fused by doubt. He speaks of peace while all the world will clamour at our open door, while shards of music sing and break with light in discord…
Hymn: God, give to us discerning minds
Hymn: God, give to us discerning minds
by Andrew Pratt
God, give to us discerning minds to know your love, to live by grace, to tune our lives to your commands, to live at peace within this place. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ALFRETON, ARIZONA Metre: LM Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 31/7/2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.…
Hymn: Into darkness and disaster
Hymn: Into darkness and disaster
by Andrew Pratt
Into darkness and disaster, swept along by what we’ve done, making choices that determined things we’ve lost and things we’ve won, sometimes we reflect and wonder at the people we’ve become. Sometimes lost, sometimes despairing, feeling there is no way back to the way we wish we’…
Hymn: In the depth of deep recession
Hymn: In the depth of deep recession
by Andrew Pratt
In the depth of deep recession hopeless, helpless here we stand; all around new fears are waking anxious thoughts throughout this land. While some live in wealth and comfort, others struggle to be fed; mothers queue at new-found food banks, others look to find a bed. Verses 2-3 f…
Hymn: In the days of righteous justice