Third Sunday in EasterApril 18, 1999 |
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| Scripture | Theme | Hymns |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 2:14a, 36-41 | 3,000 saved | 57: O For a Thousand Tongues
to Sing 332: Spirit of Faith, Come Down |
| Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 | The servant grateful for salvation | 126: Sing Praise to God Who
Reigns Above 573: O Zion, Haste |
| Luke 24:13-35 | Walk to Emmaus | 341: I Sought the
Lord 430: O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee |
| 1 Peter 1:17-23 | Rebirth from imperishable seed | 88: Maker in Whom We
Live 327: Crown Him with Many Crowns |
Easter. It's not just a day. It's not just a season. It's not just a way of life. It is the way of life! When Christ arose and conquered the grave, He fulfilled all that God had promised. God sent the promised Messiah. He provided the Holy Sacrifice. He made a way for the creation to rejoin the Creator. God is life and the source of life. In God we live. Christ is God incarnate. In Christ we see fulfillment of God's love. The Holy Spirit is God within and among us. In the Spirit we are one.
This week's featured hymn by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) rejoices in the life that we have in God. The hymn devotes one verse to each member of the Trinity, and then to the Trinity itself. The first verse focuses on "Maker," God the Father, the maker of heaven and earth, and the creator of each and every one of us. The second is addressed to "Incarnate Deity," Jesus Christ, who ransomed us from sin. The third tells of the renewing power of the Spirit of Holiness. The language of the fourth verse is subtle, but very carefully attuned to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. God is recognized in three persons, and yet is known as one God--not three. Look at the language. "Dwell upon thy love." "Before thy glorious face." "Thy love hath made." "Thine everlasting praise." One love. One face. One God we praise. Sing the words and praise the Maker In Whom We Live!
| 1. Maker, in whom we live, in whom we are and move, the glory, power, and praise receive for thy creating love. Let all the angel throng give thanks to God on high, while earth repeats the joyful song and echoes to the sky. |
2. Incarnate Deity, let all the ransomed race render in thanks their lives to thee for thy redeeming grace. The grace to sinners showed ye heavenly choirs proclaim, and cry, "Salvation to our God, salvation to the Lamb!" |
| 3. Spirit of Holiness, let all thy saints adore thy sacred energy, and bless thine heart-renewing power. No angel tongues can tell thy love's ecstatic height, the glorious joy unspeakable, the beatific sight. |
4. Eternal, Triune God, let all the hosts above, let all on earth below record and dwell upon thy love. When heaven and earth are fled before thy glorious face, sing all the saints thy love hath made thine everlasting praise. |
It is the season of Easter. Christ, God the Son, is risen. God is one in the Trinity. And we are one in Christ.
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. |