Andrew Pratt
God’s aim is love for all who live
God’s aim is love for all who live
by Andrew Pratt
Proper 21 year A Matthew 21: 23-32 God’s aim is love for all who live together on this earth, for in God’s eyes each person shares a common rank and worth. So tangled up in argument we miss what matters most... Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, Engl…
Am I in debt?
Am I in debt?
by Andrew Pratt
Meditation: Am I in debt? Proper 18 Year A Romans 13: 8 – 14 In the meditation that follows there are lots of things for which I am thankful. You can insert your own or even, perhaps, adapt it for a congregation or group of people. Am I in debt? Surely! In debt for the love you h…
Where people are friendly and walking as one
Where people are friendly and walking as one
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Where people are friendly and walking as one Proper 17 Year A Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b Where people are friendly and walking as one, the sound of the spirit is ringing; right here in a world so discordant with strife, in harmony, know God is singing. So tell all the world …
When we bear a grudge that’s lasting
When we bear a grudge that’s lasting
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: When we bear a grudge that’s lasting Proper 19 Year A Genesis 50: 15 - 21 When we bear a grudge that’s lasting, eating us from deep within, it can cripple solid friendships, losing where love ought to win. When his brothers came to see him it was hard to read his mind... Tu…
We are guardians for the people
We are guardians for the people
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: We are guardians for the people Proper 18 Year A Ezekiel 33: 7 – 11 We are guardians for the people, called by God to care and serve acting out the love of neighbour, giving all without reserve. We are prophets for the people, God has asked us to protect... Tune: ALL FOR JE…
This is the only earth we know
This is the only earth we know
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: This is the only earth we know Proper 20 Year A Philippians 1: 21 – 30 This is the only earth we know, all else is speculation, and though our visions lead us on, this is the time for action. Within the company of friends and those ranked round about us, is where we share t…
This day we remember the passage to freedom
This day we remember the passage to freedom
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: This day we remember the passage to freedom Proper 18 Year A Exodus 12: 1 – 14 This day we remember the passage to freedom, the Exodus journey, redemption at hand the Passover meal we recall at this season, the sign of God's faithfulness brought to the land. This day we rem…
The simplest of words have eternal importance
The simplest of words have eternal importance
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: The simplest of words have eternal importance Proper 18 Year A Matthew 18: 15 – 20 The simplest of words have eternal importance, a 'yes' or a 'no' last for more than a day. Be careful in talking and choose your words wisely, then think before speaking of what you will say.…
The challenge seemed audacious
The challenge seemed audacious
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: The challenge seemed audacious Proper 17 Year A Exodus 3: 1 – 15 The challenge seemed audacious, impossible to hear: a bush that kept on burning, love’s antidote to fear. A nameless God was calling and freedom was the goal. Could Moses bring redemption for every Hebrew soul…
Our calling as Christians, to let God be God
Our calling as Christians, to let God be God
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: Our calling as Christians, to let God be God Proper 20 Year A Jonah 3:10-4:11 Our calling as Christians, to let God be God, conflicts with our selfish agenda; the way that God treats us so often seems odd, less valued, and more chief offender. Our selfish agenda can hinder …
Like some tsunami pulling back
Like some tsunami pulling back
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Like some tsunami pulling back Proper 19 Year A Exodus 14: 19 – 31; Exodus 15: 1b – 11; Psalm 114 Like some tsunami pulling back, the sea piled up, the ground was dry. The Hebrews saw a way across, a way to flee, a way to fly. Egyptians followed in their wake, but all at on…
Insurance is invalid
Insurance is invalid
by Andrew Pratt
Poem: Insurance is invalid Proper 18 Year A Ezekiel 33: 7 – 11 Insurance is invalid when we are fully warned, if knowing coming danger, that word is simply scorned. For those who know what's coming, yet raise up no alarm, in consequence will suffer and share the self-same harm...…
Help us trace your rainbow colours
Help us trace your rainbow colours
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Help us trace your rainbow colours Proper 19 Year A Romans 14: 1-12 Help us trace your rainbow colours through these days of change and choice, holding firmly to your promise: all the world can praise, rejoice. In a world of contradictions let your justice change our ways, …
Grumpy, graceless human beings
Grumpy, graceless human beings
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Grumpy, graceless human beings Proper 20 Year A Exodus 16: 2-15 Grumpy, graceless human beings angry at their lot; Moses once had been their idol, but they soon forgot. Slaves set free should be more grateful, but we’re just the same; satisfaction soon exhausted, ready to c…
Great God your love has held our lives
Great God your love has held our lives
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn - Great God your love has held our lives NEW HYMN FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER Great God your love has held our lives across the years down to this day. Your constant presence held us fast: remain with us we plead and pray. We watched the …
God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension
God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension Proper 19 Year A Matthew 18: 21-35 God’s grace extends beyond our comprehension, beyond the limits that we put on love. God calls us to forgiveness and redemption, sometimes the bar is just too high above. When we are wronged God…
Foretaste of Friday
Foretaste of Friday
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: Foretaste of Friday Proper 17 Year A Matthew 16: 21 – 28 Foretaste of Friday, shadow of judgement, Peter resisting God's fateful end. Jesus deciding where he is riding, cross casting shadows, life's journey's end. This was God's purpose, never resisting, meeting our hatred …
A topsy, turvy, upturned world