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
The view from the mountain, enticing, expectant
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: The view from the mountain, enticing, expectant Proper 25 year A Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 The view from the mountain, enticing, expectant, the end of a journey, the start of new life; and Moses was watching with longing and heartache, while Joshua waited to lead in the strife. …
The temple was a market
The temple was a market
by Andrew Pratt
The temple was a market with cattle, doves and sheep. Religion forged a profit that earned the traders’ keep. Incensed at such injustice he held a whip of cords, the people scattered quickly, he had no need for words. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: DURROW; PASSION CHORALE Metre: 7.6.7.6…
The spirit that breathed on the waves of the sea
The spirit that breathed on the waves of the sea
by Andrew Pratt
The spirit that breathed on the waves of the sea, is wonder, is wisdom, a cause to be free. Before all creation, her glory was known, with earth as a footstool and heaven her throne. This spirit, this wisdom, then took human flesh, divested of glory, a manger for rest... Verse 2 …
The towering glory of this place
The towering glory of this place
by Andrew Pratt
The towering glory of this place: divine accommodation; affords a dwelling place for God through every generation. Here see the swallows sweeping down, in rest from navigation, they have a safer place to rest, a nest for pro-creation. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME Metr…
The table's set, the room prepared
The table's set, the room prepared
by Andrew Pratt
The table's set, the room prepared, come close and gather round, for Jesus bids, 'remember me' and here God's grace is found. If Philip who would count the cost, when thousands sat for bread, could find a supper place with Christ, then we, too, can be fed. Verses 3-6 follow TUNE:…
The wisdom of elders is sometimes berated