Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory in shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
"We do not say that they are gone, but gone ahead." Urbanus Rhegius
A most blessed All Saints day to one and all!
May you have a blessed Feast.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mimi! We get to celebrate it twice, actually, because while the school celebrated it today, the parish will transfer the observance to Sunday!
ReplyDeletePastor Weedon,
ReplyDeleteBefore chapel this past Wednesday Pastor Gerike talked about All Saints Day in this way: He talked about checking books out of the library (before we had bar codes in most of our books) and seeing all those who had checked each book out. Some might have been alive still and others may have died in the Lord. Some might have been famous professors and others might have been "simple" pastors. It provided a wonderful image as we sang "For All the Saints" as our office hymn.
Singing "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent" was also a real treat.