Lutheran Seminary – Moved by the Promise – God Pause - Saturday, 25 January 2013 – "What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine" ELW 774

Lutheran Seminary – Moved by the Promise – God Pause - Saturday, 25 January 2013 – "What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine" ELW 774

1. What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

leaning on the everlasting arms;

what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

Leaning, leaning, (Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)

safe and secure from all alarms;

leaning, leaning, (leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)

leaning on the everlasting arms.

2. Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

leaning on the everlasting arms;

oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

Leaning, leaning, (Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)

safe and secure from all alarms;

leaning, leaning, (leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)

leaning on the everlasting arms.

3. What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

Leaning, leaning, (Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)

safe and secure from all alarms;

leaning, leaning, (leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)

leaning on the everlasting arms.

"What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms." This is one of the favorite hymns at our women's Bible study every Thursday morning. It is such a joy to gather with these precious women who have spent their lives leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus. Most have lost their spouses. Many have endured serious medical conditions and changes in life. They know the deep pain of loss and also the deep joy of life in faith. I see them walking down the hall, often arm in arm. I listen as they care for one another with love, encouragement, laughter, and tears. Each week we sing together and pray for one another and others in need. We hear God's Word and we share delicious homemade treats. The women often say about our time together, "It is a glimpse of heaven." It is for me too. As we live in fellowship and faith, we lean on one another and hold one another up. And we lean on God and we are held in God's everlasting arms that will never let us go.

We thank you gracious Lord for the gift of fellowship and for the peace and joy of leaning on your everlasting arms. Amen.

Elisa Schafer Richardson

Pastor, Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Mounds View, Minn.

Master of Divinity , 1983

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Luther Seminary

2481 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55108 United States

(651)641-3456

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