“On What Has Now Been Sown,” ELW 550
Devotion
On what has now been sown
your blessing, Lord, bestow;
the pow'r is yours alone
to make it sprout and grow.
O Lord, in grace the harvest raise,
and yours alone shall be the praise!
To you our wants are known,
from you are all our pow'rs;
accept what is your own
and pardon what is ours.
Our praises, Lord, and prayers receive
and to your word a blessing give.
Oh, grant that each of us,
now met before you here,
may meet together thus
when you and yours appear,
and follow you to heav'n, our home.
E'en so, Amen! Lord Jesus, come!
Years back, I asked little Dominic to hold the basket in which people place their communion cups when finished communing. Little Dominic jumped up, ran full speed down the aisle, through the chancel area, and jumped off the other end as he grabbed for the basket—all in one motion. My heart jumped as I asked myself, "Did he just run through the chancel area and jump off right in the middle of the service?" After the service, some of the "saints" made comment. My response was, "He's a child. Children run and jump. I wish we all had such enthusiasm to serve God and God’s people." ALL are welcome, especially those saints we call children. You can't tell me the Body of Christ does not have crying infants and running children. It's awesome to see growth in what God has sown. In July, Dominic was visible once again—as he assisted in the distribution of Holy Communion.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for places in which we are allowed to grow as you have planted us. Amen.