How can God, condemned, be hanging?
How can God, condemned, be hanging?
by Andrew Pratt
How can God, condemned, be hanging? False messiahs meet such ends, and the ones then testifying, have no need to make amends. Educated folk were laughing, they foresaw what was to come, saw disciples hiding, crying, feeling both distraught and numb. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: CALON …
How on God's earth can we change and be Christ-like
How on God's earth can we change and be Christ-like
by Andrew Pratt
How on God's earth can we change and be Christ-like, calming our wrath and containing our rage? Where is the spirit that shows love in action, selflessly, fearlessly showing God's care? Verses 2-3 follow Tune: EPIPHANY HYMN; BARNARD GATE (John Barnard; Sing Glory 433; Jubilate we…
How easy to distort the Jesus Spirit
How easy to distort the Jesus Spirit
by Andrew Pratt
How easy to distort the Jesus Spirit, to lose his ways in empty, so called, praise. We brush aside his life of liberation, commitment, just a hollow passing phase. Astonishment might greet the face we offer, purporting to portray the grace of Christ, our frowns sometimes betray t…
How can we live at one with God
How can we live at one with God
by Andrew Pratt
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Year A Education Sunday Hymn: How can we live at one with God How can we live at one with God, inspired by Christ the living Word, infused with all the Spirit’s power when life is twisted and absurd... Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © Stainer & Bel…
How can humans cause such carnage
How can humans cause such carnage
by Andrew Pratt
How can humans cause such carnage, ravage all the earth? How can people slaughter children they have brought to birth? Have we lost all moral sense, or is this just our human curse? When we turn the page of history life can seem so cheap. As we read of Herod’s hatred we are moved…
How can we look, and not be moved
How can we look, and not be moved
by Andrew Pratt
1 How can we look, and not be moved by lives that end and eyes that plead, where parents cry while families part amid their last despairing need. 2 Once we were distanced from the ones that suffered while we stood to stare. God give the gift of empathy that we might offer more th…
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…
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 - 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 - 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 for Nelson Mandela
Hymn for Nelson Mandela
by Andrew Pratt
In the light of the death of Nelson Mandela you may wish to open the worship with a time of silent remembrance and this hymn. Equally this hymn might be used elsewhere in the service: This day we have witnessed a man for all nations, a man who was human, held fast what is right, …
Hymn: A generous balance where sharing is normal
Hymn: A generous balance where sharing is normal
by Andrew Pratt
A generous balance where sharing is normal, where all needs are met from the income of all, where gracious abundance and freedom in giving mean none is diminished and all can walk tall. Verses 2-3 follow Please include on your CCL return Tune: 12.11.12.11 Metre: ST CATHERINE’S …
Hymn: A troubled soul, the Christ of God
Hymn: A troubled soul, the Christ of God
by Andrew Pratt
A troubled soul, the Christ of God, humanity exposed, with all the turmoil that we feel, when choices are proposed. The monumental choice he faced, the crisis must be met, to take the path of love to death, or turn away, forget. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ELLACOMBE Metre: DCM Andr…
Hymn: A handsome lad, but who would choose