We have known the exultation
We have known the exultation
by Andrew Pratt
We have known the exultation, we have shared in depths of pain, we have praised in celebration, we have mourned when faith felt vain. But, O God, your love is lasting, you have lifted us from loss, you restored our understanding that your love survived the cross. Verses 2-4 follo…
We hold the image of a God
We hold the image of a God
by Andrew Pratt
We hold the image of a God of pure humility and grace, so gentle in each act and word, with kindness shining from his face. But is this picture right and real? The Psalmist sings of fire and light, of righteous judgment, boundless power, devouring all that is not right. Verses 3-…
We have no licence through our faith
We have no licence through our faith
by Andrew Pratt
We have no licence through our faith to carve a way of wrong, yet Christ has loved beyond the law, brought freedom to our song. In foolishness we build again the walls that Christ broke down, no human law is needed now for judgement wears no frown. Verses 3-5 Follow Tune: ABRIDGE…
We build up walls to sanctify possession
We build up walls to sanctify possession
by Andrew Pratt
We build up walls to sanctify possession, then cage the things that bolster wealth and greed, but death will level rich and poor together, will nullify religion, race and creed. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: INTERCESSOR; HIGHWOOD Metre: 11.10.11.10 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 15…
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 play at church, one long charade
We play at church, one long charade
by Andrew Pratt
1 We play at church, one long charade, a trite religious game, and all the time the world goes by, Christ dies again in vain. 2 The down and out wish for our tithes, the homeless plead and pray, while we enact our sullen rite, our crass religious play. 3…
We strain to hear the voice of God
We strain to hear the voice of God
by Andrew Pratt
We strain to hear the voice of God, this God who knows us inside out, a whispered voice of gentleness that never seeks to force or shout. Christ's voice was heard in Galilee by those who had the ears to hear, he challenged hypocrites with truth while sinners, sensing love, drew n…
We offer worship, held in hope
We offer worship, held in hope
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: We offer worship, held in hope Sixth Sunday of Easter Psalm 66: 8 - 20 We offer worship, held in hope, while storms make war around us for You have held us in despair, and nothing can confound us The trial and testing we have seen, the dash of expectation... Tune: DOMINUS R…
We stand in awe and wonder at this moment
We stand in awe and wonder at this moment
by Andrew Pratt
We stand in awe and wonder at this moment, we are Your people and You know our worth; the covenant we make with firm intention will set our course for now upon this earth. When we are lost to love and feel abandoned, out in the desert of our doubt and fear, God take us by the han…
We turn the tables on our friends
We turn the tables on our friends
by Andrew Pratt
We turn the tables on our friends, the ones we love the most, when others point or criticise, we press our case and boast. The garden story that we hear still lives in us today, the blame still passes down the line, there is no other way. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: BROTHER JAMES AIR…
We need not hear to understand
We need not hear to understand
by Andrew Pratt
We need not hear to understand the glory of the sky, we need not see to recognise the comfort of God's love. God reaches us beyond our sense, encompasses with love, God's care is greater than our need conveyed to us by grace. Verses 3 follows Tune: AMAZING GRACE or BROTHER JAME’S…
We read of cultures from the past
We read of cultures from the past
by Andrew Pratt
We read of cultures from the past where slaves were normal, commonplace. Today we look with different eyes, to keep a slave would bring disgrace. Yet people still are caught and sold, removed from family and friends, then bought, mistreated and abused. For them life’s horror neve…
What are the gifts we would treasure most highly
What are the gifts we would treasure most highly
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: What are the gifts we would treasure most highly Proper 12 year A 1 Kings 3: 5-12 What are the gifts we would treasure most highly: freedom or justice or money or wealth; food for the hungry or drink for the thirsty, love for our children, or power, or health? Once God had …
We welcome each other as sisters and brothers
We welcome each other as sisters and brothers
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: We welcome each other as sisters and brothers Second Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 10: 40 – 42 We welcome each other as sisters and brothers, at one in God's presence and one in Christ's name. Each day we go forward, God's spirit is with us; God's love is eternal, forever …
What a scandal, such forgiveness
What a scandal, such forgiveness
by Andrew Pratt
What a scandal, such forgiveness, no repentance, just a show, this anointing seems so wasteful, who is she? And does he know? All conventions disconnected, does he know how this will look? See that Pharisee, affronted, all this seems outside his book. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: BETH…
We will love the God we worship
We will love the God we worship
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: We will love the God we worship Proper 25 year A Matthew 22: 41-46 We will love the God we worship with each mind and soul and heart, seek to heed the words of Jesus, sharing grace through every part. We will live the words we utter, loving neighbours that we meet... TUNE: …
We wring our hands in hopelessness