Andrew Pratt
Hymn for Nelson Mandela
Hymn for Nelson Mandela
by Andrew Pratt
In the light of the death of Nelson Mandela you may wish to open the worship with a time of silent remembrance and this hymn. Equally this hymn might be used elsewhere in the service: This day we have witnessed a man for all nations, a man who was human, held fast what is right, …
Prayer at the death of Nelson Mandela
Prayer at the death of Nelson Mandela
by Andrew Pratt
This day we have witnessed a man for all nations, a man who was human, held fast what is right, for this he would live with profound resignation, he shone in the world, don't extinguish that light. And we who are human stand now in remembrance, frail shadows of all he has shown w…
How can humans cause such carnage
How can humans cause such carnage
by Andrew Pratt
How can humans cause such carnage, ravage all the earth? How can people slaughter children they have brought to birth? Have we lost all moral sense, or is this just our human curse? When we turn the page of history life can seem so cheap. As we read of Herod’s hatred we are moved…
Helicopter crash-Prayer
Helicopter crash-Prayer
by Andrew Pratt
Prayer to include in your intercessions this sunday. To begin let us keep silence for a moment as we recollect the helicopter crash that took place in Glasgow on Friday night, offering our prayers for those who are injured, those who are bereaved or traumatized, and remembering t…
A hymn for candle lighting services in Advent
A hymn for candle lighting services in Advent
by Andrew Pratt
A hymn for candle lighting services in Advent Different lectionaries and churches use different themes and orders for these service, A selection of four verses for the Sundays of Advent should be chosen from the selection together with the last verse for Christmas day. The order …
Hidden, yet hurting, while needing the comfort
Hidden, yet hurting, while needing the comfort
by Andrew Pratt
Hymn for World Aids Day Hidden, yet hurting, while needing the comfort, needing the love of our family and friends. Dare we admit to this random infection, living with fear that it seems never ends? Here in the church is there safety and welcome, room to be honest and never conde…
Advent Candle Lighting Readings
Advent Candle Lighting Readings
by Andrew Pratt
Advent Candle Lighting Readings First Sunday in Advent - Hope Reader 1: Where is Jesus? Reader 2: Look! is that the Christ? He struggles upward with a heavy load. His hope was dashed so long ago. It was dark there, and so long ago. His hope was dashed. Reader 1: But he has seen a…
Some king, who hangs as others taunt
Some king, who hangs as others taunt
by Andrew Pratt
Some king, who hangs as others taunt, and sling their insults fuelled with hate. Here love was nailed as blood was drained, this was no sordid trick of fate. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ABENDS; WINCHESTER NEW Metre: LM Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 11/11/2013 Stainer & Bell Ltd,…
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 …
Here is love-the prophet’s promise!
Here is love-the prophet’s promise!
by Andrew Pratt
Here is love - the prophet’s promise! Here the Christ has come to birth! Hear the loud angelic chorus peace is promised for the earth. Joy for all the world – God’s blessing: wisdom wakes, and hope is found. Crying quenched, all anguish ended, Christ has come to Bethl’ems ground.…
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 …
Monologue/drama: Zack
Monologue/drama: Zack
by Andrew Pratt
Monologue/drama: Zack I suppose you think I'm short? Thoughts like that can hurt, you know. If I was any shorter my feet wouldn't touch the ground. Which, come to think of it, is a bit academic, me stuck up in this tree like this. Yes, stuck up a tree. Why? All right, because I'm…
God-botherer's call with their prayers and their praises
God-botherer's call with their prayers and their praises
by Andrew Pratt
God-botherer's call with their prayers and their praises, incessantly knocking on doors that seem barred, until through persistence God listens and raises an answer to heartfelt, persistent demands. Verse 2 follows Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1…
Dialogue/Drama: Goody two shoes!
Dialogue/Drama: Goody two shoes!
by Andrew Pratt
Dialogue/Drama: Goody two shoes! Directions: Each line of this piece should be read alternately by two people. As they talk they are looking over the way to someone who is making no eye contact with them but who looks supremely confident and self-assured. At the end of the piece …
If all the world could live as if
If all the world could live as if
by Andrew Pratt
If all the world could live as if the love of God was in each heart. If every one in every place became as one, they could not part. A vast community of love would come to being on the earth, while everyone of every creed would value one another's worth. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: B…
Strange how those, the least expected,
Strange how those, the least expected,
by Andrew Pratt
Strange how those, the least expected, offer thanks for acts of grace; while so many take for granted costly gifts as common place. Children take the care we offer, never know what love has cost, soon they grow in independence, soon the bonds of birth seem lost. Verses 3-4 follow…
What news is good? That Christ will live forever?
What news is good? That Christ will live forever?
by Andrew Pratt
What news is good? That Christ will live forever? Beyond a cruel death an empty grave? And whether this is fact or faith means nothing unless Christ's Spirit gives the means to save. If we endure derision, in this moment, or share communion bread within this place, unless our liv…
When in our loneliness, lost without comfort