“Blessing and Honor,” ELW 854 and LBW 525
1 Blessing and honor and glory and power,
Wisdom and riches and strength evermore,
Be to the Lamb who our battle has won,
Whose are the kingdom, the crown and the throne;
Whose are the kingdom, the crown and the throne.
2 Let all the heavens sound forth Jesus' name;
Let all the earth sing his glory and fame.
Ocean and mountain, stream, forest and flower
Echo his praises and tell of his power.
Echo his praises and tell of his power.
3 Ever ascending the song and the joy;
Ever descending the love from on high;
Blessing and honor and glory and praise –
This is the theme of the hymns that we raise.
This is the theme of the hymns that we raise.
4 Give we the glory and praise to the Lamb!
Take we the robe and the harp and the palm;
Sing we the song of the Lamb that was slain,
Dying in weakness and rising to reign;
Dying in weakness and rising to reign.
Devotion
This is Earth Day – a day to celebrate the beauty and bounty of our planet and to mourn her degradation; a day to remind us of our calling as stewards of the earth; a day to recognize our status as mere creatures. Imagery and hymns that give voice to creation – the earth that sings of God’s glory; the oceans, streams and forests that echo Christ’s praise – help connect us to God’s all-encompassing care. Our voices join a chorus already in progress. “Blessing and honor and glory and praise – this is the theme of the hymns that we raise!”
Prayer
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, ours are not the only voices of creation, ours is not the only concern of redemption. Life is sustained in the unity of all in all. Grant us grace to hear your praise resounding around us. Amen.