Andrew Pratt
We gather in this holy space
We gather in this holy space
by Andrew Pratt
We gather in this holy space. We pray in penitence and awe. Your spirit moves within this place, we bow, as we have done before. Your law is written on each heart, your love will penetrate each soul, you bring through music, thought and art a covenant to make us whole. Verses 3-4…
We wring our hands in hopelessness
We wring our hands in hopelessness
by Andrew Pratt
We wring our hands in hopelessness while Herod's spirit roams abroad, the innocent are slaughtered still as hatred draws a tighter cord. We lack audacity to face corruption in our very midst; humanity is drawn by greed and power has the final twist. God bring again your human…
Poem: Oh why are we searching from cradle to manger?
Poem: Oh why are we searching from cradle to manger?
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: Oh why are we searching from cradle to manger? Luke 2: 41-52 Oh why are we searching from cradle to manger? From Christmas to Easter God comes as a stranger. From Bethlehem's stable, a child in a temple, two people in exile, a man with a temper, Beyond all the tinsel the st…
All life's praising fills creation
All life's praising fills creation
by Andrew Pratt
All life's praising fills creation, breathless dancing setting free lives to give their brief expression to the things we sense or see. Praise is building, deep crescendo, rhythmic shaking moves the earth, like some cosmic exaltation bringing love and joy to birth. Verses 2-3 fol…
Hannah coming to the temple
Hannah coming to the temple
by Andrew Pratt
Hannah coming to the temple brings a tunic for her lad, such excitement, though expected, human love will make them glad.* Like a birthday, family meeting, celebration, gifts are brought, in imagination's moment, altogether joy is caught. Christmas passes, other moments in our me…
In the stable, shepherds, standing
In the stable, shepherds, standing
by Andrew Pratt
In the stable, shepherds, standing, wonder what has brought them there, after birth of living glory speaks of hope, of loving care. Here no glow surrounds the manger, no angelic choir is heard, simply, God is born among us, God incarnate, love absurd. Verse 3 follow © Andrew Prat…
What better way to spend the night
What better way to spend the night
by Andrew Pratt
What better way to spend the night than walking down a city street? Near shuttered shop fronts bodies sleep. Is Christ among the ones we greet? The stars are bright, the frost is sharp, and home will draw us from the cold. Outside the door, beyond the warmth, young people die bef…
A cloak of darkness, like a shroud
A cloak of darkness, like a shroud
by Andrew Pratt
A cloak of darkness, like a shroud, had crawled across the rolling land, and through that darkness people trudged, a weary, wand'ring, pilgrim band. From day to day they marked their route, but when at last all hope had gone, in darkness, deeper than before, some lost the heart t…
He touched the ones that others would despise
He touched the ones that others would despise
by Andrew Pratt
He touched the ones that others would despise, he lifted up the poor to help them rise, he stemmed the hypocrites within their pride and drew the little children to his side. He stopped the ones who'd stone a woman dead, then offered care, forgiving her instead. He called his fri…
O shepherd of Israel, you hold in your hand
O shepherd of Israel, you hold in your hand
by Andrew Pratt
O shepherd of Israel, you hold in your hand, the nations, the people, from each far flung land. Your grace is sufficient, to meet every need, you reach beyond nationhood, language and creed. You brought restoration when all once seemed lost, you poured out your life love, not cou…
God brings in a circus of love and delight
God brings in a circus of love and delight
by Andrew Pratt
God brings in a circus of love and delight that longs to live lovingly putting things right, uplifting the humble, distributing wealth, till hypocrites tumble and children have health. This, this is the God, that we love and adore, the God who spins values, then opens the door to…
Hymn: Strength will come when least expected
Hymn: Strength will come when least expected
by Andrew Pratt
Strength will come when least expected, in the time of greatest need, in the homes of humble people, God will sow a gracious seed. In a town, once disregarded, hope was coming to the earth, here in Bethlehem, this hamlet, Love would come by human birth. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: AL…
Hymn: Forgiveness is ridiculous
Hymn: Forgiveness is ridiculous
by Andrew Pratt
Forgiveness is ridiculous, unsettles justice, riddles faith, when love has a monopoly as evidence of given grace; It sets the cosmos spinning round, it turns our values upside down it makes our temples tumble down and every beggar wears a crown. Verse 3 follow Tune: ALFRETON; CAM…
Hymn: The world is a-turning, God set it a spinning
Hymn: The world is a-turning, God set it a spinning
by Andrew Pratt
The world is a-turning, God set it a spinning, and preachers and prophets are catching the wave; the Baptist is setting the tone for the future, come trust and repent and believe God can save. The soldiers and taxmen first heard this man preaching with fearless extravagance chall…
Hymn: Rejoice! Rejoice! Again I say rejoice!
Hymn: Rejoice! Rejoice! Again I say rejoice!
by Andrew Pratt
Rejoice! Rejoice! Again I say rejoice! Our God is near, it's time to make our choice, in gentleness and purposeful in grace, to share God's love in every time and place. Rejoice! Rejoice! Again I say rejoice! Put fear aside, let prayer inspire each voice. This is the gift that ea…
Hymn: Sometimes we wonder who we are
Hymn: Sometimes we wonder who we are
by Andrew Pratt
Sometimes we wonder who we are or where we have to go and yet through all the trials of life we find God's grace will grow. The God who is our praise and joy in weakness is our strength, and every challenge to each life will prove Love's breadth and length. verse 3 follows Tune: …
Hymn: Within those years and at that time