Hymn: This is God, a human baby
Hymn: This is God, a human baby
by Andrew Pratt
This is God, a human baby, offered into human hands, hands to comfort, feed and nurture, hands that follow hate's commands. Then disciples, stunned and puzzled, couldn't make sense of his word, theologians down the ages, seek to juggle the absurd. Man, Messiah, Lord and Master, h…
Hymn: To simply bask in ignorance
Hymn: To simply bask in ignorance
by Andrew Pratt
To simply bask in ignorance, to shy away from facts, can masquerade as 'simple faith', or veil our foolish acts; and then the world will look at us, a church so old and stale, no longer worth a second glance, a church beyond the pale. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: BETHLEHEM (also known…
Hymn: This is for keeps, not just a moment's glory
Hymn: This is for keeps, not just a moment's glory
by Andrew Pratt
This is for keeps, not just a moment's glory, this is for life, as long as we will live, to write our part within creation's story, not just a chapter; all that we can give. This is the challenge: always fight for justice, well armed with Jesus' gracious, patient power; to stand …
Hymn: This towering edifice of shining glass
Hymn: This towering edifice of shining glass
by Andrew Pratt
This towering edifice of shining glass which speaks of power, of status and of class. will one day fall, a glittering shower of shards, will flutter like the children's house of cards. These temples of our vanity and pride like expectations of the crucified will lie in dust and r…
Hymn: There was no respite from the crowds
Hymn: There was no respite from the crowds
by Andrew Pratt
There was no respite from the crowds, no place of calm retreat, no place of rest or solitude where he and friends could meet. They sought the healing of his hands, the calm within his voice, his challenge or his empathy gave reason to rejoice. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: ABRIDGE; BEL…
Hymn: There is no need for sacrifice
Hymn: There is no need for sacrifice
by Andrew Pratt
There is no need for sacrifice save love for friend and neighbour since Christ broke every barrier down. Let this define our labour. The sweetest offering of our love is all that is demanded: to love each person as ourselves is what the Christ commanded. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: B…
Hymn: Through Your grace and mercy, cared for
Hymn: Through Your grace and mercy, cared for
by Andrew Pratt
Through Your grace and mercy, cared for, lives and spirits now made whole, here where praise for years ascended, God receive, confirm, console. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: CROSS OF JESUS; LOVE DIVINE (Stsiner) Metre: 8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 27/9/2012 Stainer & Bell…
Hymn: When my mind was double doubting
Hymn: When my mind was double doubting
by Andrew Pratt
When my mind was double doubting, when my brain was racked with pain, when no angels flew about me, when I thought I’d gone insane, suddenly God came and found me, brought me back to life again. Raise the roof with hallelujahs, paint the skies with psalms of praise, God has plumb…
Hymn: We each hold within us a trace of the God-head
Hymn: We each hold within us a trace of the God-head
by Andrew Pratt
We each hold within us a trace of the God-head, the grace of forgiveness, the power to plead; the crisis before us the choice and the challenge: to cultivate hatred or nurture love’s seed. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ST CATHERINE’S COURT Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) …
Hymn: When life’s torn and love is shattered
Hymn: When life’s torn and love is shattered
by Andrew Pratt
When life’s torn and love is shattered, all around is stark and grey, hope and grace seem all but scattered, hopelessness surrounds our way. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ANIMAE HOMINUM Metre: 8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 14/6/2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www…
Hymn: What a conundrum, they need a replacement
Hymn: What a conundrum, they need a replacement
by Andrew Pratt
What a conundrum, they need a replacement, someone to witness now Judas is dead; one who walked with them right from the beginning someone to stand here in Judas's stead. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: STEWARDSHIP 11.10.11.10 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 2/5/2012 Stainer & Bell Lt…
Hymn: We read our Bibles well
Hymn: We read our Bibles well
by Andrew Pratt
We read our Bibles well, discerning good and ill, we see the Pharisees at fault, we read Your words with skill. And yet we never know the wrong we class as right, the way we justify ourselves, make out that black is white. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ICH HALTE TREULICH STILL; ISHMAEL…
Hymn: We have drunk wine from the grapes in this vinery
Hymn: We have drunk wine from the grapes in this vinery
by Andrew Pratt
We have drunk wine from the grapes in this vinery grapes that have hung in the sun, now a sign: Jesus taught plainly, with words of simplicity, 'you are those branches and I am that vine'. Look at it this way, imagine a scene with me: look at the gardener tending each branch. Tho…
Hymn: What does it mean to love our God
Hymn: What does it mean to love our God
by Andrew Pratt
What does it mean to love our God,to see the Christ in those around, to seek God's heaven on this earth, while all around is shaking ground? How can we face the present time of chaos that we meet and find, while Jesus says we need to love with all our soul, our strength and mind?…
Hymn: We trust in one we name as God
Hymn: We trust in one we name as God
by Andrew Pratt
We trust in one we name as God, above all else we see; the ground of being, God of love, will hold and set us free. And all our worship, praise and prayer, can't magnify the grace that God is pouring all the while on us, within this place. Verse 3 follows Tune: BELMONT Metre: CM …
Hymn: Who's my mother, sister, brother
Hymn: Who's my mother, sister, brother
by Andrew Pratt
Who's my mother, sister, brother, when the odds are piled up high, when the allegations clatter, when the insults sing and fly? Will you stand in strength beside me, or will you deride, deny, calling me the prince of devils, will you hide behind a lie? Verses 2-3 follow Tune: BET…
Hymn: Within a crowd where we’re alone
Hymn: Within a crowd where we’re alone
by Andrew Pratt
Within a crowd where we’re alone with nothing left to say; when fear has traced our every step and love has gone away; God give us courage, help us step beyond this cage of time to find again the freedom steps to dance with heaven’s rhyme. Verse 2 follows Tune: KINGSFOLD Metre: D…
Hymn: Without the wisdom of a God