God of Grace and God of Glory (ELW 705, focus on verse 1)
1 God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow’r;
crown your ancient church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! The hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grand us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
3 Cure your children’s warring madness;
Bend our pride to your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grand us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
4 Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.
Devotion
In our home office is a picture I took of Cesar Chavez holding a United Farm Workers flag. I remember shaking his hand. Cesar Chavez led a United Farm Worker’s march in the Valley Region of south Texas. Together, their common cause was workers’ rights, fair wages and safe working conditions. He said, “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.” There was determined chanting and singing amidst the joy-filled marchers! The march was a metaphor of Jesus stepping up, calling forth justice, healing and casting out that which twisted and oppressed. Neither Cesar nor Jesus acted violently or advocated violence. Both valued human life and demanded justice, because all people are created in the Image of God.
An ELCA Bishop once told us preachers, “We are called to transform the world.” The People of God are graced to be Jesus’ hands of change, voices for justice, feet of protest and lives for renewal.
Jesus of justice, by your grace give us strength and courage to stand up, step up, speak up and act up that the Reign of God become real for ALL. Amen.
Prayer
Jesus of justice, by your grace give us strength and courage to stand up, step up, speak up and act up that the Reign of God become real for ALL. Amen.