Quarrelsome people
Quarrelsome people
by Andrew Pratt
3rd Sunday in Lent Exodus 17: 1 – 7 Hymn: Quarrelsome people Quarrelsome people, out in the desert, thirsty for water, longing for home, ‘Why did you bring us’, they moan at Moses, ‘why make us hungry, why make us roam?’ They would have stoned him in their frustration... Andre…
Reflect on what young Isaac felt
Reflect on what young Isaac felt
by Andrew Pratt
Poem, song, hymn: Reflect on what young Isaac felt Second Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 22: 1 – 14 Reflect on what young Isaac felt, incomprehension, frozen fear; Moriah's mount, the steady climb, the place of death was drawing near. Reflect on what his father felt, this preciou…
Prophets challenge words and actions
Prophets challenge words and actions
by Andrew Pratt
Prophets challenge words and actions, things we do and things say, lift the veil and prompt the conscience, show our deeds the light of day. Verses 2-3 follow Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 19/1/2014 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer.co.uk. Please include any re…
The crisis had come, now they had to decide
The crisis had come, now they had to decide
by Andrew Pratt
The crisis had come, now they had to decide, to grasp what was safe, or to go with the tide. For Jesus was calling, and what would they say, would their actions say 'yes' or their words ring out 'nay'? He said, 'follow, follow, come on follow me, leave your nets and your lifestyl…
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people
by Andrew Pratt
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people, yet balm is not found, there is mourning instead. The harvest is past and the summer is ended, the winter is coming, dread raises its head. Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 12 11 12 11 Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO Andrew Pratt (born 1948…
The dawn of a mystery, the presence of riches
The dawn of a mystery, the presence of riches
by Andrew Pratt
The dawn of a mystery, the presence of riches, for Christ is among us and love ends our fear, the good news of grace is now ours for the asking, a new day is rising, salvation is near! In past generations the promise was hidden, but now we can read it and see with our eyes divine…
The days of Christmas ring and play
The days of Christmas ring and play
by Andrew Pratt
A NEW EPIPHANY HYMN Tune: Gonfalon Way Extract: The days of Christmas ring and play, yet in another time and day wise students of the midnight sky, observed a change and questioned 'why?' These scholars, seekers after truth, brought skill of age, and sight of youth: a supernova g…
The fawn that finds the cooling stream
The fawn that finds the cooling stream
by Andrew Pratt
The fawn that finds the cooling stream is like a soul, at rest, at peace. And when we know eternal love, we feel at one, we know release. Within the compass of love's care, safe held in grace, no fear is there. Verse 2 follows Tune: ABINGDON Metre: 88.88.88 Andrew Pratt (born 1…
The days of Christmas ring and play
The days of Christmas ring and play
by Andrew Pratt
Epiphany Year A Matthew 2: 1-12 Hymn: The days of Christmas ring and play The days of Christmas ring and play, yet in another time and day wise students of the midnight sky, observed a change and questioned ‘why?’... Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, …
The prophet stands before the crowd
The prophet stands before the crowd
by Andrew Pratt
The prophet stands before the crowd with words of comfort in his voice. His stance is confident and strong, he offers, challenge, hope and choice. He emanates authority yet he has felt the grip of fear; he faced the ones who threatened him, the angry crowd was drawing near. Verse…
The poor are Gods concern
The poor are Gods concern
by Andrew Pratt
Second Sunday of Advent Year A Isaiah 11: 1 – 10 Hymn: The poor are God's concern, The poor are God's concern, street sleepers with no hope, the ones who struggle just to live, the ones who cannot cope... Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www…
The last word goes to God, and God
The last word goes to God, and God
by Andrew Pratt
The last word goes to God, and God is judge of all the earth, and yet in Christ there’s hope for all who share a human birth. This is no magic but a sign, for Christ who hung and died, was led to death because he loved, this could not be denied. Verses 3-5 follow Tune: MENDIP; LU…
The prophet saw a plumb line simply hanging
The prophet saw a plumb line simply hanging
by Andrew Pratt
The prophet saw a plumb line simply hanging to sign God's love amid the sons of men, then, with the women, everyone is singing that God will never turn away again. Yet Amos blew the whistle on God's people, a prophet in a time of greed and need, self-righteousness as high as any …
The presence of Jesus is seen in God's people
The presence of Jesus is seen in God's people
by Andrew Pratt
The presence of Jesus is seen in God's people, when love is unanimous, open and bold to welcome the outcast, befriending the homeless, when love is the gift that we never withhold. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ST CATHERINE’S COURT Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © …
The logic the life blood the source of creation
The logic the life blood the source of creation
by Andrew Pratt
Second Sunday after Christmas year A John 1: 1 – 18 Hymn: The logic, the life-blood, the source of creation The logic, the life-blood, the source of creation, the word that had spoken when all came to be; the ground of existence, of love and emotion, this God is incarnate, the li…
The view from the mountain, enticing, expectant