Sing to the Lord

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // Though the crowds and leaders attempt to push Christ’s promise of life aside, nothing will stop our Lord from delivering this gift to sinners. This hymn is an invitation that nothing would stand in our way to sing the “glories of [our] God and King” and “the triumphs of His grace” over all that brings us fear.

Stanza 2 // We may admire the faith of those in this weekend’s Gospel text - falling at Chirst’s feet or straining to touch His clothing - it is Christ who finally offers the Word we most need! This is a prayer that the Word of resurrection Christ has promised would “spread through all the earth” - a wonderful contrast with the conclusion of this weekend’s text. This promise is no longer kept in secret, but with God’s assistance, proclaimed and sung far and wide!

Stanza 3 // The music of the Church is to be the “life, health, and peace” of Christ, by whose name we have “charm” or delight in our “fear” and an end to all “sorrow.”

Stanza 4 // As this weekend’s Gospel text assets, the dead are raised by Christ’s speaking. Sometimes, we can think of this as Jesus’ version of magic, but this hymn suggests even the dead “hear his voice” - much like those who fight through crowds to see the Lord! This hymn even gives a place for the “mournful” to rejoice - those who have experienced death! It is these Christ has come to raise to new life!

Stanza 5 // Even those who seem to take great personal pride in seeking out the goodness of God are saved by “faith alone!” Christ says as much to the woman in this weekend’s text. To the leader, He has faith when those around Him write off Christ’s power. Likewise, we are saved only by the gift of faith God gives - by this, Jesus is “our Savior!”

Stanza 6 // When Christ speaks a word of new life, the entire Church is involved in this singing - the “saints below” and “saints above” sing hymns of praise to Jesus Christ, whether on earth or in heaven, for all are held in Jesus’ promise of resurrection and new life.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 886 -  Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

ELW 452 - Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death - AZMON

ELW 511 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

ELW 607 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR

ELW 610 - O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come - DISTRESS

ELW 621 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

ELW 858 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

ELW 886 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

LBW 233 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LBW 340 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LBW 360 - O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come - DISTRESS

LBW 543 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

LBW 559 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

LSB 578 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LSB 697 - Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death - AZMON

LSB 741 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LSB 790 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

LSB 528 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

RH 11 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN

RH 30 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON

RH 185 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // Though this one stanza may seem to be a trite retelling of this weekend’s Gospel reading, Scripture proves we need to hear this word more than once! Jesus’ calming of the sea [and storms of our life] are done in the same way - with His Word of peace. Christ both rebukes the waves and His followers in this weekend’s reading - “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” This hymn addresses the true accomplishment of Christ on the Sea of Galilee - that his faithless followers are led to wonder - “Who is this?” This hymn provides an answer! Christ is the one - with the same Word of peace - brings balm to our hearts, fears to an end, and calm by His promise of peace.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 794 -  Calm to the Waves - CALM SEAS

ELW 755 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

ELW 756 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

ELW 766 - Lord of our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

ELW 769 - If You But Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

ELW 788 - If God My Lord Be for Me - IST GOTT FÜR MICH

ELW 794 - Calm to the Waves - CALM SEAS

LBW 334 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

LBW 366 - Lord of our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LBW 453 - If You But Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

LBW 454 - If God Himself Be for Me - IST GOTT FÜR MICH

LBW 467 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

LSB 659 - Lord of our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LSB 715 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

LSB 717 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

LSB 724 - If God Himself Be for Me - IST GOTT FÜR MICH

LSB 750 - If You But Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

RH 6 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - MELITA

RH 220 - Jesus Savior, Pilot Me - PILOT

RH 222 - If You Will Trust in God to Guide You - WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // This is a prayer that the reign or kingdom of God would spread throughout the earth. The stanzas to follow make clear this is God’s work - not our own. We do not pray to ourselves, but to God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is God - our “Creator” - who calls us by name and bestows the “gifts” of “heaven.”

Stanza 2 // This stanza reminds us of the insignificance with which we treated our Lord, the One we nailed to the cross to bear the price of our rebellion. Yet, this seemingly insignificant death is “our Redeemer’s” grace [or favor] for sinners - that we might be “saved.”

Stanza 3 // It is the Holy Spirit who is not only given to “guide to heaven” but to “will and do” the kingdom [or faith] Christ comes to bring. As this weekend’s parable points out, we do not know how faith [or the Holy Spirit] works - this is God’s doing, and God’s will that faith be given to you.

Stanza 4 // When God is “Lord of [the] harvest” it means God is at work in the most insignificant things of life to give His promise. By water and Word, bread and wine, and the spoken, perfect, Word of a sinner, God’s “greatest” gift is given! The “gathering nations all” see Christ’s “light” and hear His “call.”

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 663 -  Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word  - GOTT SEI DANK

ELW 181-184 - Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful, Lord

ELW 516 - Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast - ST. FLAVIAN

ELW 533 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

ELW 550 - On What Has Now Been Sown - DARWALL’S 148TH

ELW 663 - Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word - GOTT SEI DANK

ELW 679 - For the Fruit of All Creation - AR HYD Y NOS

ELW 689 - Praise and Thanksgiving - BUNESSAN

ELW 880 - O God beyond All Praising - THAXTED

LBW 234 - Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast - ST. FLAVIAN

LBW 250 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

LBW 261 - On What Has Now Been Sown - DARWALL’S 148TH

LBW 379 - Spread, Oh, Spread, Almighty Word - GOTT SEI DANK

LBW 409 - Praise and Thanksgiving - BUNESSAN

LBW 563 - For the Fruit of All Creation - SANTA BARBARA

LSB 577 - Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast - ST. FLAVIAN

LSB 789 - Praise and Thanksgiving - BUNESSAN

LSB 830 - Spread the Reign of God the Lord - GOTT SEI DANK

LSB 894 - For the Fruit of His Creation - AR HYD Y NOS

LSB 901 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

LSB 921 - On What Has Now Been Sown - DARWALL’S 148TH

RH 46 - Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty - UNSER HERRSCHER

ZACHARY'S NOTES:  

Stanza 1 // When Christ “enters” our “human story” he comes to destroy all of the stories we tell ourselves and one another. The Pharisees who placed limits on God’s action in the Law - Jesus comes that we might know “unbounded grace” in His Word.

Stanza 2 // We rise, shine, and sing to Christ because of what He comes to accomplish. Our Lord comes to those “surrounded by death and sin” - to send “the pow’r of evil reeling” and give those without hope “freedom, light…life, and healing.” Where even Scripture causes us to ask whether we have spoken and acted against God’s name, Christ comes to forgive.

Stanza 3 // The strength of Christ to bind the devil and come for sinners is the power Christ gives to His people! This is “our song” and “our prayer” as God’s forgiven people - that the world would see and appreciate God for who He is and what He has done.

Stanza 4 // When Christ makes us a “new creation” by His promise, we see a God “outside His mind” as God at work for us, saving and giving us freedom.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 665 -  Rise, Shine, You People! // WOJTKIEWIECZ

ELW 503/504 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

ELW 517 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

ELW 621 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESU, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

ELW 665 - Rise, Shine, You People! - WOJTKIEWIECZ

ELW 766 - Lord of Our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

ELW 843 - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness - NETTLETON

LBW 228/229 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

LBW 230 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LBW 340 - Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense - JESU, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LBW 366 - Lord of Our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LBW 393 - Rise, Shine, You People! - WOJTKIEWIECZ

LSB 655 - Lord, Keep Us Steafast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

LSB 656/657 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

LSB 659 - Lord of Our Life - ISTE CONFESSOR

LSB 666 - O LIttle Flock, Fear Not the Foe - KOMMT HER ZU MIR

LSB 741 - Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense - JESU, MEINE ZUVERSICHT

LSB 825 - Rise, Shine, You People! - WOJTKIEWIECZ

LSB 849 - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness - NETTLETON

RH 71 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ERHALT UNS, HERR

RH 169/170 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - EIN FESTE BURG

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // The day of rest is the Sabbath - made for those who rest in the presence of Almighty God! It is a day of rest because we know and worship the Triune God, who brings us a “balm for care and sadness.”

Stanza 2 // This day of rest is not something invented for the benefit of congregations, member engagement, or hymn-singing! In what can sound like a litany to the “day of rest” - these words really tell us of God’s work. On “you” the Father created the world. On “you” Christ “rose from depths.” On “you” the Spirit [was] sent from heaven.” This is the three-fold light in which we rest as God’s people.

Stanza 3 // While the second stanza lists many past events, the blessings of this “day” were made for God’s people in all generations - both those of the past and for us today! As God acted for His people in the past, so we are given “manna from heaven” called by God’s Spirit to hear the Gospel preached, and given “living water” in Holy Baptism. 

Stanza 4 // When God creates a day for our rest, it may sound strange to say we “reach the rest remaining” - but this is what God promises for those who die “in the Lord!” There is blessing even here, because of the “new graces” God pours out each day we rest in Jesus’ Word of forgiveness. As Luther reminds us, it is this good news which keeps the Sabbath holy, that we might rest in Jesus’ promise today and forever.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 521 -  O Day of Rest and Gladness - ELLACOMBE

ELW 511 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

ELW 513 - Listen, God Is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

ELW 520 - Dearest Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER

ELW 579 - Lord, You Give the Great Commission - ABBOT’S LEIGH

ELW 645 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - WESTMINSTER ABBEY

ELW 652 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

LBW 233 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LBW 248 - Dearest Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER

LBW 251 - O Day of Rest and Gladness - ELLACOMBE

LBW 367 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - EDEN CHURCH

LBW 365 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

LSB 578 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER

LSB 645 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

LSB 833 - Listen, God Is Calling - NENO LAKE MUNGU

LSB 904 - Blessed Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER

LSB 906 - O Day of Rest and Gladness - ELLACOMBE

LSB 909 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - WESTMINSTER ABBEY

RH 91 - Built on a Rock - KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS

RH 203 - Dearest Jesus, at Your Word - LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // When Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit - like the wind - “blows where it chooses” and “[we] do not know where [He] comes from or where [He] goes…” we may have as many questions as Nicodemus, or even a few more! This hymn calms the questions of our mind and heart with a Word:  “This” - here - “is the Spirit’s entry” - the “water and the Word.” The Holy Spirit is found in baptism, where we are joined forever to Jesus’ “cross” - His death and resurrection. As if to emphasize the issue twice, this stanza says this promise is both “felt and heard” - that is, in “water and Word.”

Stanza 2 // This stanza reminds us the Trinity is at work in water and Word. The Father who gave us and all things life or “breath” gives us this gift of “life reborn” in the sinless One from whom we “tore [all] life” and crucified. Our promise of death and resurrection is sure because of Jesus Christ, by whose death, we are given life.

Stanza 3 // This stanza might make us nervous, especially after Jesus spends a significant portion of time trying to explain the benefits of Baptism as water and Word applied to the sinner. But to be baptized also means we live in the world each day with all of the frustrating difficulties of life - and God’s promise has something to say even here! “Daily” our “sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires should be drowned through daily repentance…and a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.” God “designs” Holy Baptism to do this!

Stanza 4 // How can we pray for the Spirit to “cleanse again” when we are already baptized? Just as the Spirit “calls [and] gathers” us in faith, so the Spirit “keeps” us in the promise God gives. This promise is not only once - but for all time!

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 448 -  This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - LAND OF REST

ELW 323 - God Loved the World - ROCKINGHAM OLD

ELW 410 - All Glory Be to God on High - ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÖH

ELW 412 - Come, Join the Dance of Trinity - KINGSFOLD

ELW 413 - Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! - NICAEA

ELW 414 - Holy God, We Praise Your Name - GROSSER GOTT

ELW 442 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL

ELW 448 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - LAND OF REST

ELW 451 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE

ELW 456 - Baptized in Water - BUNESSAN

ELW 527 - Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now - HERR JESU CHRIST, DICH ZU UNS WEND

ELW 660 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER

ELW 666 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE

ELW 848 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET

LBW 192 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE

LBW 194 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL

LBW 195 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - PERRY

LBW 292 - God Loved the World - DIE HELLE SONN LEUCHT 

LBW 377 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER

LBW 385 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE

LBW 520 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET

LSB 543 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE

LSB 571 - God Loved the World So That He Gave - st. crispin

LSB 590 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (DRETZEL)

LSB 591 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - DAMASCUS ROAD

LSB 601 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL

LSB 837 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER

RH 12 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET

RH 74 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE

RH 75 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL

RH 254 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE

RH 269 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // After Jesus tells his disciples he must depart that the Holy Spirit would arrive, it is easy to imagine the disciples' confusion and fear. In our fear, we turn to God’s Holy Spirit in prayer, that we would be restored as those without sin.

Stanza 2 // The Holy Spirit is named in many ways throughout Scripture. This hymn says we cry to the One who brings us “comfort” - the “gift of God” - and the “true fount of life.” The gift of the Holy Spirit is from God, who gives us faith to trust the life God gives in Jesus Christ. In this, we have comfort in all fear.

Stanza 3 // The seven-fold gifts of the Spirit are listed in the eleventh chapter of Isaiah - “wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, piety, and the fear of the Lord.” In each of these, the Spirit gives us to see the “Almighty hand” of God.

Stanza 4 // The blessings of the Holy Spirit are not limited to theological definitions in this prayer, but requested that “every sense” and “every heart” would know the Spirit’s “light” and “love.” God knows we need the “might [and] strength” of the Spirit in the midst of our weakness. When God’s Spirit brings us to faith in God’s saving work, our bodies are redeemed to speak, work, and live in Christ’s freedom.

Stanza 5 // This might sound like one of the more unbelievable aspects of this prayer, especially for those seemingly touched by the “cruel foe” and our sin each day. But, it is a reflection of God who will not “lead us into temptation” as we so often pray. A portion of Luther’s explanation of the Sixth Petition can be helpful - that “God would watch over us and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief…” This is the Spirit’s work - to “keep us” in faith!

Stanza 6 // The purpose of the Holy Spirit is what this stanza says - to teach us to know the “Father, Son, and Spirit” to be one! The message to which the Holy Spirit testifies comes through Father and Son, that we might praise God without end.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 394 - Hail Thee, Festival Day! - SALVE FESTA DIES

ELW 395 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT

ELW 410 - All Glory Be to God on High - ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÕH

ELW 454 - Remember and Rejoice - ST. THOMAS

ELW 577/578 - Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove - KOMM GOTT, SCHÖPFER

ELW 582 - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling - IN BABILONE

ELW 627 - O Day Full of Grace - DEN SIGNEDE DAG

ELW 743 - Now to the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray - NUN BITTEN WIR

ELW 786 - O Holy Spirit, Enter In - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET

ELW 804 - Come Down, O Love Divine - DOWN AMPNEY

LBW 142 - Hail Thee, Festival Day! - SALVE FESTA DIES

LBW 161 - O Day Full of Grace - DEN SIGNEDE DAG

LBW 163 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT

LBW 166 - All Glory Be to God on High - ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÕH

LBW 284 - Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove - KOMM GOTT, SCHÖPFER

LBW 317 - To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray - NUN BITTEN WIR

LBW 459 - O Holy Spirit, Enter In - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET

LBW 472/473 - Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire - VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS // KOMM, GOTT SCHÖPFER

LBW 508 - Come Down, O Love Divine - DOWN AMPNEY

LBW 523 - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling - IN BABILONE

LSB 489 - Hail Thee, Festival Day! - SALVE FESTA DIES

LSB 497 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT

LSB 498/499 - Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest - KOMM, GOTT SCHÖPFER // VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS

LSB 501 - Come Down, O Love Divine - DOWN AMPNEY

LSB 503 - O Day Full of Grace - DEN SIGNEDE DAG

LSB 650 - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling - IN BABILONE

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // On this final Sunday of Easter, the “vault of heaven resounds now” - today! - with the good news of Jesus’ “triumph” over death! We join in singing not only with the [now smaller] crowd of Christians gathered to worship, but with the “choirs of angels” who sing a song of glory around the throne of the Risen One.

Stanza 2 // The gift of Easter is not simply to repeat the blessings of the empty tomb, though this hymn certainly accomplishes the task! It also tells us Christ comes to us “now” that “all strife” might be stilled by His presence - that we might have abundant life today.

Stanza 3 // Just as Jesus prays for His disciples who are in the world, so this stanza itself is a prayer to God. “Grant grace sufficient for life’s day that by our lives we truly say: ‘Christ has triumphed! He is living!’” God knows we need God’s grace and favor in the difficulties life will bring, the promise of Christ’s presence in the midst of these, and the good news that the Risen Christ rules over the most difficult days the world will bring.

Stanza 4 // Christ says those He has given His word “do not belong to the world.” In this way, we sing the “never-ending” glory with the “blessed heavenly” saints of God! God has given us to know the blessings of heaven today, that we might sing together in this life and forever in the life to come.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 322 - O Love, How Deep - DEO GRACIAS

ELW 367 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

ELW 655 - Son of God, Eternal Savior - IN BABILONE

ELW 657 - Rise, O Sun of Righteousness - SONNE DER GERECHTIGKEIT

LBW 88 - O Love, How Deep - DEO GRACIAS

LBW 143 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN\

LBW 364 - Son of God, Eternal Savior - IN BABILONE

LSB 465 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

LSB 544 - O Love, How Deep - DEO GRACIAS

LSB 842 - Son of God, Eternal Savior - IN BABILONE

RH 159 - Now Let the Vault of Heaven Resound - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // The “divine love” of Christ exceeds all love we can imagine - a love and joy that must “come down from heaven.” It is the crown of all God’s “faithful mercies” because it is the commandment Christ says will grow out of faith in our Lord! Christ’s love, which knows no boundaries, can enter even the “trembling hearts” of sinners, that we might be given salvation. 

Stanza 2 // When Christ enters the human heart, we are given new hearts “set at liberty” by the freedom of God’s “loving Spirit.” This again is God’s love - not our own - by which our “love of sinning” is removed, as we inherit the promised rest Christ promises to give.

Stanza 3 // In what can sound like a prayer for Christ’s final return, this is perhaps best understood and sung as what our Lord does each week we gather in worship. Christ is present where He promises to be - He will not leave His temple! The latter half of this stanza is a picture of what it means to “abide in Christ’s love” - where God’s people praise Christ “without ceasing” and “serve thee” and thy neighbor in the glory of Christ’s “perfect love.”

Stanza 4 // In Christ’s “perfect love” we are made a “new creation” - “pure, spotless, and continually restored” in our Lord’s forgiveness! Heaven is to be “lost” or living daily in the “wonder, love and praise” of Almighty God - the same life to which our Lord invites us today as we abide in His love as His people!

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 367 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

ELW 385 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT

ELW 631 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL

ELW 637 - Holy God, Holy and Glorious - NELSON

ELW 836 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY

ELW 863 - My God, How Wonderful Thou Art - DUNDEE

LBW 143 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

LBW 144 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT

LBW 315 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL

LBW 551 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY

LBW 524 -  My God, How Wonderful Thou Art - DUNDEE

LSB 465 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

LSB 475 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT

LSB 700 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL

LSB 803 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY

RH 2 - My God, How Wonderful Thou Art - DUNDEE

RH 14 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL

RH 36 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY

RH 158 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT

RH 159 - Now Let the Vault of Heaven Resound - LASST UNS ERFREUEN

ZACHARY'S NOTES:  

Stanza 1 // This hymn connects the promises Christ speaks in this weekend’s Gospel text with the promise we are given in Holy Baptism. “Embraced into Christ the vine” we are joined to be “a branch of [the] life-giving Tree” of Christ.

Stanza 2 // The sequence of summer, autumn, and winter is compared to seasons of life. Just as Christ says we are pruned to bear more fruit, so our Lord acts on our behalf that we might know and be sustained by the vine-grower and “shout for joy” at the good news He brings.

Stanza 3 // The middle stages of life are described here as holding a “heavy harvest.” The burdens of responsibility - work, family, friends, relationships, our own needs, and the needs of others - can weigh heavily on us. Joined to the vine, Christ brings His gifts of “beauty, wisdom, and love.”

Stanza 4 // Even in death, we are held and abide in Christ - the vine! This is thanks to the “promise of the spring” - the promise into which we are baptized and held in life and death, even as our lives wither, and must die. Perhaps most espeically in this time, God promises the fruit of faith!

Stanza 5 // As much as this hymn is a prayer weaving together images of today’s reading and Holy Baptism, it is also a hymn of praise. By “word and water” we are revived to abide with Christ, and joined forever to His “Tree of Life” - His cross - by which we abide and live with God forever.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

ELW 447 - O Blessed Spring - BERGLUND

ELW 342 - There In God’s Garden - SHADES MOUNTAIN

ELW 362 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT

ELW 377 - Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen! - EARTH AND ALL STARS

ELW 379 - Now the Green Blade Rises - NOËL NOUVELET

ELW 447 - O Blessed Spring - BERGLUND

ELW 449 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ENGELBERG

ELW 758 - You Are the Way - DUNDEE

LBW 148 - Now the Green Blade Rises - NOËL NOUVELET

LBW 189 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ENGELBERG

LBW 210 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT

LBW 378 - Amid the Worlds Bleak Wilderness - GRANTON

LBW 464 - You Are the Way - DUNDEE

LSB 474 - Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen! - EARTH AND ALL STARS

LSB 526 - You Are the Way - DUNDEE

LSB 595/595a - O Blessed Spring - O WALY WALY

LSB 603 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ENGELBERG

LSB 633 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT

RH 150 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT