Sundays after Pentecost(Year A)
Unifying Theme: |
||
| Scripture | Theme | Hymns |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus
20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 --or-- Isaiah 5:1-7 |
The commandments given --or-- A disappointing vineyard |
142: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide
Thee 468: Dear Jesus, in Whose Life I See 698: God of the Ages |
| Psalm 19 --or-- Psalm 80:7-15 |
The perfect law of the Lord --or-- The vineyard cries out for help |
173: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the
Sky 427: Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life 685: Now, on Land and Sea Descending |
| Philippians 3:4b-14 | Pressing on to the goal | 539: O Spirit of the Living God 555: Forward Through the Ages |
| Matthew 21:33-46 | The vineyard given to those who produce fruit | 663: Savior, Again to Thy Dear
Name 694: Come, Ye Thankful People, Come |
Living as a Christian compels the believer to learn the history of the faith. Beginning from the creation in Genesis and moving through the fall from grace, God's promise of a savior, and the fulfillment of that promise in Christ Jesus, the stage is set for the most important event for every individual: salvation. Although this history is repeated over and over before God, the eternal events that unfold are unique at the calling of each soul. It is such a compelling story, and one that is so personal to every one who receives the gift of new life in Christ, no wonder we find ourselves drawn to ponder our traditions and reminisce over our experiences.
The past is only part of the story, though. Time continues to move ahead. In a sense, today is yesterday's future, and tomorrow the future will unfold a little bit more. And so time continues moving forward from day to day, year to year, and age to age.
This week's featured hymn focuses on the forward progression of the church through the ages. It is a wondrous story of the faithful spirits who hear God and act upon a divine calling. From generation to generation the kingdom of God has been brought to us through prophets, martyrs, poets, and heroes. As you read the words of this hymn, consider the glory of God's history and the promise that it brings, both to us in the present, and to those who will follow in the future.
| 1. Forward through the ages, in unbroken line, move the faithful spirits at the call divine; gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord, manifold the service, one the sure reward. (Refrain) |
2. Wider grows the kingdom, reign of love and light; for it we must labor, till our faith is sight. Prophets have proclaimed it, martyrs testified, poets sung its glory, heroes for it died. (Refrain) |
3. Not alone we conquer, not alone we fall; in each loss or triumph lose or triumph all. Bound by God's far purpose in one living whole, move we on together to the shining goal. (Refrain) |
|
|
|||
The words of this hymn were written in 1908 by Frederick Hosmer upon the installation of a minister, and later appeared in Hosmer's Thought of God in Hymns and Poems, 1918. Hosmer was a scholar of church hymnody and frequently lectured in seminaries, including Harvard Divinity School. The words are set to the tune of ST. GERTRUDE, which is best known as the tune to "Onward, Christian Soldiers." It was composed in 1871 by Sir Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert & Sullivan fame. Sullivan named the tune for a friend, Gertrude Clay-Ker-Seymour. As was his custom when naming tunes, Sullivan added the title "Saint."
God bless you--
Lection at HymnSite.com
God bless you!
| Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT. |