Amazing Grace (ELW 779)
1 Amazing grace! — how sweet the sound —
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
2 ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3 Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
4 The Lord has promised good to me;
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
Devotion
Many businesses have a mission statement and all the churches I have served have had mission statements. I remember reading an article about individuals having their own personal mission statement and suggesting that the statement should be six words or less. The challenge was to be focused and brief. I had a near death experience as the result of an accident as a young boy, and the theme verse for my ordination was from the Gospel of Mark: “Called not to be served but to serve”. Reflecting on those events my personal mission statement has been: Saved by Grace—Called to Serve. Thus the familiar line from today’s hymn has always been special for me: “‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” How has God’s amazing grace touched your life?
Prayer
Gracious God, we give thanks for your amazing grace that sustains us in this life and gives us hope for the life to come. Amen.