Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 712)
1 Lord, whose love in humble service
bore the weight of human need.
Who upon the cross, forsaken,
worked your mercy’s perfect deed:
We, your servants, bring the worship
not of voice alone, but heart;
consecrating to your purpose
ev’ry gift which you impart.
2 Still your children wander homeless;
still the hungry cry for bread;
still the captives long for freedom;
still in grief we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion
healed the sick and freed the soul,
by your Spirit send your power
to our world to make it whole.
3 As we worship, grant us vision,
till your love’s revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness
dawns upon our quickened sight,
making known the needs and burdens
your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to ardent service,
your abundant life to share.
4 Called by worship to your service,
forth in your dear name we go,
to the child, the youth, the aged,
love in living deeds to show;
hope and health, goodwill and comfort,
council, aid, and peace we give,
that your servants, Lord, in freedom
may your mercy know and live.
Text: Alfred F. Bayly; Music: The Sacred Harp
Devotion
“Still your children wander homeless; still the hungry cry for bread; still the captives long for freedom; still in grief we mourn our dead.” It never ends. My inbox is filled with relief causes to support. The news shows us hurts, struggles, disasters, and grief. On and on it goes. To face the needs of this world alone would be overwhelming. But we spend our days in the presence of the Living Bread from Heaven. This knowledge allows us to pray, “Oh grant me then, well strengthened . . . to serve you free from fear.”
The cartoon’s first frame shows a person kneeling in prayer. In the second frame the prayer reads, “When, oh when, dear God, will you ease the suffering in this world?” God then responds, “When will you stand up and join me?” The final frame shows the person taking God’s hand and stepping out to make a difference.
Prayer
God of Love, open my eyes to see the needs around me. Open my heart to share. Amen.