HCLM BLOG

Yesterday as our evening hanging out the with folks wound down, dad sat on the couch soothing little Eleanor, Wes watched "Bear necessities" with mom and Megan readied all the the stuff it requires to take two kids anywhere. I sat and played on the piano they've had as long as I can remember. I thumbed through the hymnal til I got to one that I only slightly knew. I now hope they sing it at my funeral. To me it sings about reality. The truth of who we are and what we're called to that the busyness of life tries to distract us from. More on that later. Until then, here's the hymn:

For all the saints, who from their labors rest, 

who thee by faith before the world confessed, 

thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. 

Alleluia, Alleluia! 

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; 

thou Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; 

thou in the darkness drear, their one true light.

Alleluia, Alleluia! 

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, 

fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, 

and win with them the victor's crown of gold. 

Alleluia, Alleluia! 

O blest communion, fellowship divine! 

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; 

yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. 

Alleluia, Alleluia! 

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, 

steals on the ear the distant triumph song, 

and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. 

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!