Within the Areopagus
Within the Areopagus
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Within the Areopagus Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 17: 22-31 Within the Areopagus debate was heated, talk was fast, Paul joined this lively interchange: debate goes on, the questions last. It was not easy to believe: the 'god' they worshipped was unknown. They harboured an un…
With daring we enter the future that beckons
With daring we enter the future that beckons
by Andrew Pratt
With daring we enter the future that beckons, our feelings in tension - excitement and fear. Wherever we're walking we know God walks with us, before and behind, God's protection is near. *Alone in the desert God's people felt empty, the land that was promised of honey and milk s…
Willows hung with harps are weeping
Willows hung with harps are weeping
by Andrew Pratt
Willows hung with harps are weeping like the sorrow of our song, deep reflection of the mourning for the hurt of human wrong. Hurt which seems to have no ending, still rings on from age to age, still our human hearts are bleeding, still our grief takes centre stage. Verses 3-4 fo…
Within a world of many gods
Within a world of many gods
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Within a world of many gods Proper 11 year A Isaiah 44:6-8 Within a world of many gods that called for their attention, the people said the God of love was theirs beyond contention. Within a world where wealth or power tempt us to selfish living... Tune: ST COLUMBA (IRISH) …
With secrecy diplomacy
With secrecy diplomacy
by Andrew Pratt
Epiphany year A Matthew 2: 1 - 12 Hymn: With secrecy, diplomacy With secrecy, diplomacy, King Herod made his quest; the threat must, duly, be contained, till then he would not rest. We sing the song of every child who ever has been born; we sing our song for all the w…
Wisdom: Word before creation
Wisdom: Word before creation
by Andrew Pratt
Wisdom: Word before creation, source and essence of our birth, ground of being, life's existence, energising all the earth; Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 8 7 8 7 Trochaic Tune: CROSS OF JESUS Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 27/4/2013 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer…
Safe as any child, God keeps us
Safe as any child, God keeps us
by Andrew Pratt
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Year A Hymn: Safe as any child, God keeps us – Based on Psalm 131 – also February 27 Safe as any child, God keeps us firmly held, secure and warm,. Calm and quiet each soul is rested, sure within the fiercest storm... Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Word…
Scattered sheep, you hear God's calling
Scattered sheep, you hear God's calling
by Andrew Pratt
Scattered sheep, you hear God’s calling, people driven far from home; sometimes those you trust deceive you. God is watching, do not roam. Verses 2-3 follow Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 22/8/2010 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer.co.uk. Please include any re…
Right here in the presence of loving and grace
Right here in the presence of loving and grace
by Andrew Pratt
Right here in the presence of loving and grace, see Judas is scowling, a sneer scars his face. Anointing with perfume is costly and rare, this gift could be sold giving substance to care. What need this affection, that Jesus received? It seemed to go counter to all they believed.…
Safe in God who always held us
Safe in God who always held us
by Andrew Pratt
Safe in God who always held us from the moment of our birth, still protecting, never resting, till the ending of the earth. God our refuge, loving parent, guiding as our lives proceed; God of providence and comfort seeks to meet our every need. Verse 3 follows Tune: LAUS DEO (Red…
Questions whirling wind around us
Questions whirling wind around us
by Andrew Pratt
Questions, whirling wind around us, probe, disturb, unsettle thought; undermine secure perception that our simple faith has caught. Verses 2-3 follow © Andrew Pratt 18/9/2012 Tune: COME REJOICE (Noel Tredinnick, Jubilate Hymns); LAUS DEO (Redhead) Metre: 8.7.8.7 Please include on…
She's the one Christ should have hated
She's the one Christ should have hated
by Andrew Pratt
3rd Sunday in Lent Hymn: She’s the one Christ should have hated She’s the one Christ should have hated, every law set her apart, woman, foreign, faith betrayer, yet compassion warmed his heart. Was he thirsty? Human nature giving us a reason why... Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Word…
Searching seeking people clamoured