LBW #415, "God of Grace and God of Glory"
Devotion
Grace and peace to you, my friends, God’s people of courage, wisdom, weak resignation and wearying madness. Grace and peace to you from the Lord of the resurrection, Jesus the Christ. Grace and peace to you all.
Now here is a hymn that moves me to stand up and sing with an organist who shakes the house and a brass group that shatters our reserved piety. Let the good Lutherans not shy away from this hymn of Grace and Glory. It is the stuff that set the early church on the road. It is a hymn that declares our humanity, and like Peter and John in Acts 3, proclaims God’s saving power.
Prayer
God of Grace and God of Glory, on your people pour your power; crown your ancient church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour. Amen.