Andrew Pratt
Hymn: He speaks of peace while all inside
Hymn: He speaks of peace while all inside
by Andrew Pratt
He speaks of peace while all inside disciples’ minds are churned about; their memories haunt their waking time, while day and night are fused by doubt. He speaks of peace while all the world will clamour at our open door, while shards of music sing and break with light in discord…
Hymn: He stood with scarred and open hands
Hymn: He stood with scarred and open hands
by Andrew Pratt
He stood with scarred and open hands, their bloodied, but now risen, Lord, incomprehension met his words, their fear had tightened like a cord. His word of peace rang in their ears, yet they could hardly understand. Bemused, unsettled, disbelief meant that the fear they felt was …
Hymn: It seemed as if the Lord lived still
Hymn: It seemed as if the Lord lived still
by Andrew Pratt
It seemed as if the Lord lived still, expressed his will, the lame could walk, and all assumed the blind would see, the silent ones would start to talk! Yet all they saw when looking round, were Galilean fisher folk, a zealot and some other men, some hazarded it was a joke. Verse…
Hymn: Hush! The Psalmist sang of safety
Hymn: Hush! The Psalmist sang of safety
by Andrew Pratt
Hush! The Psalmist sang of safety peace beyond the fading light. Sleeping, held in arms of comfort, till the ending of the night. Verse 2 follows Tune: SAINT CATHERINE(Flood Jones) Metre: 8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 19/3/2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, ww…
Poem: Always missing, never grasping
Poem: Always missing, never grasping
by Andrew Pratt
(Doubting Thomas after Leonard Cohen’s song 'Suzanne' which has the line: '…and Jesus was a sailor...') Always missing, never grasping, hope amid this shifting sea, coast and haven seem remote now, too far off to harbour me. Yet those fishermen are telling news that I can't compr…
Hymn/song: Always missing, never grasping
Hymn/song: Always missing, never grasping
by Andrew Pratt
(Doubting Thomas after Leonard Cohen’s song 'Suzanne' which has the line: '…and Jesus was a sailor...') Always missing, never grasping, hope amid this shifting sea, coast and haven seem remote now, too far off to harbour me. Yet those fishermen are telling news that I can't compr…
Hymn: Doubt, composed in whispered voices
Hymn: Doubt, composed in whispered voices
by Andrew Pratt
Doubt, composed in whispered voices, nailed their thoughts through waiting days: days of shattered expectation, days devoid of love or praise. Boulders blocked imagination like the stone that sealed the tomb, startled, frightened, apprehensive, shut inside an upper room. Verses 2…
Hymn: The life of Christ, the love of God
Hymn: The life of Christ, the love of God
by Andrew Pratt
The life of Christ, the love of God, that we have seen, that we have known, gives comfort and encouragement to know we never are alone. The light of Christ is shining still, where we are met to break the bread, where homeless people find some warmth and where a hungry child is fe…
Hymn: A commonwealth of love
Hymn: A commonwealth of love
by Andrew Pratt
A commonwealth of love where all are held by grace, it seems idyllic on the page, could it infect this place? Within that upper room were people just like us, but meeting Christ in faith and love transformed their depth of trust. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH …
Hymn - So stunned by what she heard then saw
Hymn - So stunned by what she heard then saw
by Andrew Pratt
So stunned by what she heard then saw, a voice was calling out her name, and turning she was shocked by joy for Jesus walked into the frame. Not long before she’d watched him die, the victim of a murderous act, she saw him lose his grasp on life, a witness to this dying fact. Ver…
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 - What was the weather like that day
Hymn - What was the weather like that day
by Andrew Pratt
What was the weather like that day? Cold, wet and overcast with rain, or bright and warm with sun and clouds? What formed the back cloth to this pain? What motivated those who came, to watch this scene, to play this game? There is so much we do not know, save tortured death withi…
Hymn - Filled with fear and apprehension
Hymn - Filled with fear and apprehension
by Andrew Pratt
Filled with fear and apprehension, self doubt lurking in his mind. Jesus weighed what lay before him, what resistance would he find? Friends and family could not help him, these were things to face alone. New uncertainties assailed him, things he hoped he'd never own. Verses 2-3 …
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 - Who shares this wine? Who dips this bread