Luther Seminary “Moved by the Promise ‘God Pause’” - Saturday, 30 November 2013 – "We Walk by Faith" ELW 635

Luther Seminary “Moved by the Promise ‘God Pause’” - Saturday, 30 November 2013 – "We Walk by Faith" ELW 635

1. We walk by faith and not by sight;

with gracious words draw near,

O Christ, who spoke as none e'er spoke:

"My peace be with you here."

2. We may not touch your hands and side,

nor follow where you trod;

but in your promise we rejoice,

and cry, "My Lord and God!"

3. Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;

and may our faith abound

to call on you when you are near

and seek where you are found:

4. For you, O resurrected Lord,

are found in means divine:

beneath the water and the word,

beneath the bread and wine.

5. And when our life of faith is done,

in realms of clearer light

we may behold you as you are,

with full and endless sight.

Henry Alford's wonderful hymn "We Walk by Faith" seems appropriate for this St. Andrew's Day. Andrew, through prominently mentioned as one of the first called disciples of our Lord, is a bit mysterious. Legends abound about his missionary activities and his martyrdom, but the man himself is never on display: the stories are all about faith.

That's as it should be. Our life of faith is what matters in this life and in the life to come. As Alford so beautifully writes, "And when our life of faith is done, in realms of clearer light, may we behold you as you are, with full and endless sight." May our lives become more like Andrew's: sharing our joy in Jesus' presence with those near to us and those far away. May we too find our reward not in worldly fame or renown but in the beauty of Christ's presence eternally.

"Help then, O Lord, our unbelief; and may our faith abound to call on you when you are near and seek you where you may be found." Amen.

Rebecca Wegner

Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Brunswick, Maine

Master of Divinity , 1992

“We Walk by Faith” by Henry Alford

1. We walk by faith, and not by sight;

No gracious words we hear

From Him who spake as man e'er spake;

But we believe Him near.

2. We may not touch His hands and side,

Nor follow where He trod;

But in His promise we rejoice,

And cry, "My Lord and God!"

3. Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;

And may our faith abound,

To call on Thee when Thou art near,

And seek where Thou art found:

4. That, when our life of faith is done,

In realms of clearer light

We may behold Thee as Thou art,

With full and endless sight.

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Luther Seminary

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St. Paul, MN 55108 United States

(651)641-3456

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