“Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (ELW 756)
Devotion
Eternal Father, strong to save,
whose arm has bound the restless wave,
who bade the mighty ocean deep
its own appointed limits keep:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
O Savior, whose almighty word
the winds and waves submissive heard,
who walked upon the foaming deep,
and calm amid the storm didst sleep:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
O Holy Spirit, who didst brood
upon the chaos dark and rude,
and bid its angry tumult cease,
and give, for wild confusion, peace:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and pow'r,
all trav'lers guard in danger's hour
from rock and tempest, fire and foe,
protect them wheresoe'er they go;
thus evermore shall rise to thee
glad hymns and praise from land and sea.
The sun will just be rising at 9 a.m., peeking up over the trees by the time worship begins at our little church in the woods. As light creeps in the windows behind the table and pulpit, even on the dreariest of days, the halo can still be seen. This half-ring of light encircles the chancel area and on this All Saints Sunday, it carries that glorious reminder that we are not cut off from the saints who have gone before.
As we share in the body and blood of Christ today, we share in the communion of saints as well. In this meal, you are joined with your brothers and sisters with whom you stand side-by-side, those across the continent, those around the world and those beyond the grave. The light of Christ encircles us all.
I chose this hymn in honor of my grandfather, Paul Irving Olson, a navy man in World War II, who rests in the Father's eternal arms.
Prayer
In your wisdom, O God, you weave our lives together and we grow stronger for it. Encourage me through your saints, to live a life worthy of the calling in Christ, and fix my hope on you alone. Amen.