1. Spread, oh, spread, thou mighty Word,
Spread the kingdom of the Lord,
Wheresoe'er His breath has giv'n
Life to beings meant for heav'n.
2. Tell them how the Father's will
Made the world and keeps it still,
How His only Son He gave,
Man from sin and death to save.
3. Tell of our Redeemer's love,
Who forever doth remove
By His holy sacrifice
All the guilt that on us lies.
4. Tell them of the Spirit giv'n
Now to guide us up to heav'n,
Strong and holy, just and true,
Working both to will and do.
5. Word of life, most pure and strong,
Lo, for Thee the nations long;
Spread, till from its dreary night
All the world awakes to light.
6. Up! The rip'ning fields ye see,
Mighty shall the harvest be;
But the reapers still are few,
Great the work they have to do.
7. Lord of Harvest, let there be
Joy and strength to work for Thee
Till the nations far and near
See Thy light, and learn Thy fear.***
What happens next now that This Changes Everything is nearly done? Thousands of high school students, young adults and youth leaders will return to our congregations energized by the Spirit. How will we receive their witness to what God has done in and through them in Houston? We cannot and must refuse to quench the energy, the passion and the noise of these students! This hymn has always been the drumbeat of the church to be inspired to watch the Word of God do what the Word of God does--create living faith in Jesus Christ. "Lord of the Harvest, great and kind, rouse to action heart and mind." Is this not what we have been praying for at the gathering? May we also be changed by the witness of the students to the crucified and risen Christ whom they met in Houston and who continues to call them--and us--to witness in the corners of our neighborhoods, towns and cities!
Lord of the Harvest, great and kind, rouse to action heart and mind. Help us receive the witness of those who have attended the National Youth Gathering and be moved to serve locally. In Jesus name. Amen.
Kevin Bergeson, '07
Staff Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, S.D. ***
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United State
***
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