Here’s a new hymn for Ascension from Andrew Pratt. See below for tune suggestions.
All Heaven Sighed
All heaven sighed as joy was shed,
and love would soon be free,
not bound to just one place and time,
yes, this would be the key:
beyond the cross, beyond the grave,
the Christ would rise again,
not just to life to greet his friends,
but on beyond earth’s pain.
Disciples waited on that hill
as Christ was lost to sight,
then time would test their faithfulness,
there was no shining light;
for as they gazed, and as they looked,
it did not seem so clear;
some doubted what they saw and felt,
and some were filled with fear.
Uncertainty would rule their lives,
within this hollow time.
The world went on insensible
to faith’s forgotten rhyme.
Then in a room behind locked doors,
the Spirit came with fire,
and each disciple found a voice
to challenge and inspire.
and love would soon be free,
not bound to just one place and time,
yes, this would be the key:
beyond the cross, beyond the grave,
the Christ would rise again,
not just to life to greet his friends,
but on beyond earth’s pain.
Disciples waited on that hill
as Christ was lost to sight,
then time would test their faithfulness,
there was no shining light;
for as they gazed, and as they looked,
it did not seem so clear;
some doubted what they saw and felt,
and some were filled with fear.
Uncertainty would rule their lives,
within this hollow time.
The world went on insensible
to faith’s forgotten rhyme.
Then in a room behind locked doors,
the Spirit came with fire,
and each disciple found a voice
to challenge and inspire.
— Copyright © Andrew Pratt, March 30, 2010. Posted on his Hymns and Books blog.
Tune suggestions:
ELLACOMBE (I sing the mighty power of God)
For more worship resources for Ascension, click on Ascension in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
