Saturday, October 29, 2022

414. Easter 6 (Series B)

The lessons for this service are Acts 10:34-48, 1 John 5:1-8 and John 15:9-17. The tune is NEW ULM by Friedrich O. "Fritz" Reuter (1910) and, as far as I know, has only ever been used as a tune for "Lord dismiss us with Thy blessing" in TLH and CWALH – and (in TLH) a rarely-if-ever-used alternate tune at that, eclipsed by Henry Smart's REGENT SQUARE. Nevertheless, it's a lovely tune, well harmonized, and I think it deserves better.

Jesus, Source of faith victorious,
Which the world has overcome;
End of faith as well, all-glorious
Sun that lights our heav'nly home:
Oh, perfect us! Resurrect us!
Draw us whither You are gone!

Greater love than this has no one
Than to give His life for men.
Give us now the means to go on
Being what You name us: friends!
Loving, sharing, good fruit bearing,
May we serve Your kingdom's ends!

Let the Breath You blew while dying
Bear You witness in our hearts!
Let the tears Your breast was crying—
Blood and water in like parts—
Be our payment, be our raiment
When the heav'nly banquet starts!

Where shall we, then, find this Spirit?
Always, Savior, in Your Word!
Where do we apply Your merit?
In Your sacraments, dear Lord!
As we listen, graces glisten;
Life and pardon You afford.

Since You, Christ, Your life have given
Once for all, dispense again
All Your gifts that bring us heaven,
Daily giving life to men!
Bring us running to the stunning
Goodness of our God and Friend!

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