The riddle of salvation
The riddle of salvation
by Andrew Pratt
2nd Sunday in Lent John 3: 1 – 17 Hymn: The riddle of salvation The riddle of salvation, not of a cross or tomb, confronted Nicodemus within a quiet room. Christ took him back to childhood, and challenged all he knew, his intellect was tested by hearing what to do. 'To reach the …
The room is ready, all prepared
The room is ready, all prepared
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: 'The room is ready, all prepared Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A John 14: 1 - 14 'The room is ready, all prepared, you have a place to go' said Jesus to his gathered friends! 'I thought that you would know'. 'We've walked together, shared and talked, we've prayed, you've seen…
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 silent language of the stars
The silent language of the stars
by Andrew Pratt
The silent language of the stars The silent language of the stars, each shining constellation, all speak of God to those who see the beauty of creation. They speak with lightening clarity, give every indication to those who look through eyes of faith, of cosmic evolution. Verse …
The shepherd of sheep scorns the safety of shelter
The shepherd of sheep scorns the safety of shelter
by Andrew Pratt
The shepherd of sheep scorns the safety of shelter, the wilderness beckons, the flock has run wild; but here in lush pasture, beside the still waters, the shepherd calls people, both parent and child. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: FRIARMERE VICARAGE (Hymns for Today’s Church 26; Jubila…
The shepherd mind had open eyes
The shepherd mind had open eyes
by Andrew Pratt
The shepherd mind had open eyes to calibrate the worth, to see beyond the poverty divine in human birth. These shepherd hands had held a lamb, had weighed* the new-born flesh. In every birth of lamb or child our hope is born afresh. Verses 3-4 follow *The older word, ‘hef…
The Spirit of God is both humble and gentle
The Spirit of God is both humble and gentle
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: The Spirit of God is both humble and gentle Proper 26 Year A Matthew 23:1-12 The Spirit of God is both humble and gentle, devoid of hypocrisy, sharp as a sword. And when we are driven along by that Spirit we live with God’s courage, embody God’s Word. The ones who do all fo…
Things we thought were firm foundations
Things we thought were firm foundations
by Andrew Pratt
Things we thought were firm foundations, words in which we put our trust, buildings where we offered worship, all these things may turn to dust. Here when wars and devastation seem to damn all future hope, we must find new ways of loving, means to broaden human scope. Verses 2-3 …
There are no limits to God's love
There are no limits to God's love
by Andrew Pratt
There are no limits to God's love, aside from those we put in place because of fear, or hate or greed, then justified by race or creed. The walls that we would seek to build, around our nations or our thoughts , the borders we patrol and police, are breached by God's own grace an…
The worst time of year, in the cold of the winter
The worst time of year, in the cold of the winter
by Andrew Pratt
The worst time of year, in the cold of the winter, no time to be travelling, setting abroad, yet here in this story the Magi are coming bringing the riches the world can afford. This frankincense speaks of the prayers of the people, while gold represents all the wealth of the ear…
They met within an upper room
They met within an upper room
by Andrew Pratt
They met within an upper room, they wondered at their friend, disciples who had followed, now anticipate the end. The tension here was palpable for he would be betrayed. and yet he spoke of peace to them, they need not be afraid. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: CLAUDIUS (Fink) AKA: BETHE…
The year is new do not resist
The year is new do not resist
by Andrew Pratt
Second Sunday after Christmas year A Jeremiah 31: 31 Covenant Hymn: The year is new, do not resist The year is new, do not resist, for God is moving in our midst who brings a covenant to birth, of common wealth throughout the earth... Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © Stainer & …
There is no disability
There is no disability
by Andrew Pratt
There is no disability of age, nor yet of youth, removes responsibility to utter God's own truth. And Jeremiah made excuse, yet still was called to speak, to prophesy a nation's fate, the judgment God would wreak. Verse 3 follows Tune: ABRIDGE; CONSOLATION (Beethoven) Metre: CM …
This rock raised above all others
This rock raised above all others
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn: This rock raised above all others Proper 16 year A Matthew 16: 13 – 20 This rock raised above all others: 'Peter, here I build my church'. So we hear the words of Jesus, though this rock would shake and lurch. Peter was a human being, filled with insight, seeing clear, clos…
Through all generations our God has walked with us