468. Easter 3 (Series C)

The lessons for this Sunday are Acts 9:1-22, Revelation 5:8-14 (optional 1-7) and John 21:1-14 (optional 15-19). The tune is O JESU CHRIST, DEIN KRIPPLEIN IST by Johann Crüger (1656), which ALH, TLH, CWALH, ELHy and CWH paired with Paul Gerhardt's beautiful Christmas hymn "O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is" and that LSB very unnecessarily (and sadly, in my opinion) replaced with IN PARADISUM by Kenneth Kosche. Also, ELHB and TLH paired it with "We Christians may rejoice today," hence its alternate title, WIR CHRISTENLEUT (not to be confused with the tune by that name that I used with this hymn); and finally, it's also known as MANGER.

Most gracious Lord, You thrice restored
Frail Simon, who in fear had thrice denied You:
Our courage bless As we confess,
That we may fear and love no god beside You.

You cleared Saul's debts, His deadly threats,
A sometime foe sent forth, Your witness bearing:
With wondrous light Restore our sight
When lip and life Your gospel are forswearing.

Our faults forgive, That we may live
As Your dear flock, well nourished by Your teaching.
Whate'er it cost To find the lost,
Firm our resolve to go, the nations reaching.

Show us how we Might patiently
Share fellowship with them who for You suffer,
And how Your grace Might find a place
For even Your denier and Your scoffer.

At last, Lord, shine With love divine
On all the faithful in their quiet calling:
Feed them and tend Them to the end,
To see the crowns of earth before You falling.