415. Easter 7 (Series B)

This is the next approaching milestone in my current hymn project that I hinted at back here. With Series B's Pentecost, Trinity and Propers 3-29 coming right up, this hymn scratches the halfway-done notch in this series of hymns for every Sunday of the LSB three-year series. A short break might be in order, for mental health reasons. I mean, I can't recall the last time I blogged 56 times in one month, let alone wrote 56 hymns. Anyway, the lessons for this service are Acts 1:12-26, 1 John 5:9-15 and John 17:11b-19. The melody is one of several known hymn tunes called LUSATIA, this one by Melchior Vulpius (†1616). It was paired with "Father, Son and Holy Spirit (I'm baptized)" in the Lutheran Hymnary as well as J.F. Ohl's 1903 School and Parish Hymnal. If it has another, more historic title (or a rhythmic version), I'd like to know about it.

Brethren, for advantage striving,
Even in Christ's holy church,
Cease from worldly wrangling, driving,
Lest His Body you besmirch.
Rather, for each other living,
For your neighbor's interest search.

What does Jesus know of voting,
Party spirit or campaign?
Satan must indeed be gloating
O'er our schisms, oft insane,
Trivialities promoting
Over Christ's tremendous reign!

Let the holy writ suffice you
And pure doctrine's trusty form;
Nor let idle points entice you,
Stacking norm on norm on norm,
Lest the enemy divide you
From true fellowship and warm.

Be no more the foe's abettors,
Nor in worldly mazes caught.
Take example from your betters,
Who Matthias chose by lot:
Shedding human judgment's fetters,
Leave it to the hand of God!

Sanctify us, heav'nly Father,
In the truth, that is, Your word.
Jesus, Your disciples gather,
Open questions though deferred.
Spirit, light the fires that matter,
Till our breaches are repaired.