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Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour
Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour
by Andrew Pratt
Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour Commend what is excellent, things that bring honour, things that are praiseworthy, honest and pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever brings justice, these are the things to affirm and secure. Be known by your gentleness, loyal in …
God resists a partial judgment
God resists a partial judgment
by Andrew Pratt
God resists a partial judgment, spinning justice in the air, mercy breathes in word and action when the Spirit's breath is there. Here the wicked face comeuppance, here the weak are heard at last, where each human word and action counts for more than prayer or fast. Verses 3-4 fo…
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…
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…
Her first born son, his manger bed
Her first born son, his manger bed
by Andrew Pratt
Her first born son, his manger bed, the straw was where he'd lay his head, his mother resting from the birth, and Joseph wondered at his worth. He held him in his roughened hands, he thought about the world's demands that brought them all to Bethlehem. What prejudice would wait…
Hope is built in present moments
Hope is built in present moments
by Andrew Pratt
Hope is built in present moments, times of visions, times of dreams, times when love transcends the present, long outlasting human schemes. Hope will open gates of promise, herald dawns of glorious light, help us live within this moment, lead us onward from the night. Verses 3-4 …
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 - 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 - Strange how perfume marked this moment
Hymn - Strange how perfume marked this moment
by Andrew Pratt
Strange how perfume marked this moment, days away from fear and pain, here a woman disregarded, sharing in this time of strain came anointing, unexpected, wouldn’t pass this way again. Verse 2-3 follow Tune: GRAFTON 8.7.8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 21/2/2012 Stainer…
Hymn - Who shares this wine? Who dips this bread
Hymn - Who shares this wine? Who dips this bread
by Andrew Pratt
Who shares this wine? Who dips this bread? Was Judas hesitant or calm, the moment Jesus sent him out to raise that awful, crazed alarm? The others looked around, askance, not sure what this might sign or seal. They whispered, questioned; all too soon resumed this fated, final mea…
Hymn: 'Come follow me, come follow fast
Hymn: 'Come follow me, come follow fast
by Andrew Pratt
'Come follow me, come follow fast, and leave the rest behind, reach after realms of mystery, yes, seek, and you will find'. What holds us in this human realm? What treasures keep us back from giving all we have and are? This confidence we lack! Verses 2-3 follow Tune: KINGSFOLD M…
Hymn: Evil intention, skilful deception
Hymn: Evil intention, skilful deception
by Andrew Pratt
Evil intention, skilful deception, devious plotting, bent on revenge; heart fired by hatred, nothing now sacred, John's words of judgment she would avenge. Then came the moment, see her opponent, vulnerable prisoner, she'd seal his fate. Dancing for Herod opened the scabbard, off…
Hymn: Familiar man
Hymn: Familiar man
by Andrew Pratt
Familiar man, beneath contempt, they knew him all too well, a common carpenter from town without a tale to tell. And now the words they heard contained authority and power. They listened to each utterance and soon their thoughts turned sour. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: MACPHERSON’S F…
Hymn: Confounding the people, confusing the clever
Hymn: Confounding the people, confusing the clever
by Andrew Pratt
Confounding the people, confusing the clever, Christ spoke of his flesh as like bread, bringing grace. And now we assemble, re-member that moment: break bread, pour out wine in our time in the place. Verses 2- 3 follow Tune: ST CATHERINE’S COURT Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Prat…
Hymn: Grace and peace to all God's people
Hymn: Grace and peace to all God's people
by Andrew Pratt
Grace and peace to all God's people from the Word before all worlds, all transcendent cosmic lover, in our presence grace unfolds. Born into the world among us, Christ the Word, incarnate Love knowing human strength and weakness, raise our eyes to things above. Verses 3-4 follows…
Hymn: He felt exhausted, worn and drained