The Lutheran Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "God Pause Daily Devotion" for Sunday, 17 May 2015 "Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service" ELW 712 by Albert F. Bayly (1961)
1. Lord, whose love in humble service
Bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken,
Worked Your mercy’s perfect deed:
We, Your servants, bring the worship
Not of voice alone, but heart;
Consecrating to Your purpose
Every gift which You impart.
2. Still Your children wander homeless;
Still the hungry cry for bread;
Still the captives long for freedom;
Still in grief we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion
Healed the sick and freed the soul,
By Your Spirit send Your power
To our world to make it whole.
3. As we worship, grant us vision,
Till your love’s revealing light
In its height and depth and greatness
Dawns upon our quickened sight,
Making known the needs and burdens
Your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to ardent service,
Your abundant life to share.
Our hymn today was authored by Albert F. Bayley (1901-1984) who was born in Bexhill on Sea, Sussex, England. He was educated at London University and Mansfield College. He served four Congregational Churches in England, and, following retirement in 1971, wrote several pageants on mission themes, librettos for cantatas, and numerous hymns. The music to the hymn is attributed to B.F. White (1844) and the harmony by Ronald A. Nelson (1978).The hymn begins by reminding us of the Servant Christ who "bore the weight of human need" through his suffering and death on the cross. Then it challenges all who follow him to emulate Jesus' role as a servant through our own lives of service. Verse 3 says that best: " ... making known the needs and burdens your compassion bids us bear, stirring us to ardent service, your abundant life to share."
Lord, may we serve and share "your abundant life" with others in our daily lives. Amen.
Kenneth N. Melby
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