Hebrews 12:1-3; Revelation 2:10; 14:13; 17:14 is the inspiration for the
hymn, For All the Saints (LSB 677). Soon we will close out the church year. As
citizens of the United States, we are also citizens of another country – the
Kingdom of Christ in glory. This week we have celebrated Veteran’s Day honoring
those who have served in the armed forces of our nation. At the same time, we
honor Christ who has served us defeating our last great enemy death and opened
for us the gate which leads to eternal life.
William W. How (b.
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, 1823; d. Leenane, County Mayo, Ireland, 1897)
studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and Durham University and was ordained in
the Church of England in 1847. He served various congregations and became Suffragan
Bishop in east London in 1879 and Bishop of Wakefield in 1888. Called both the
"poor man's bishop" and "the children's bishop," How was
known for his work among the destitute in the London slums and among the
factory workers in west Yorkshire. He wrote a number of theological works about
controversies surrounding the Oxford Movement and attempted to reconcile
biblical creation with the theory of evolution. He was joint editor of Psalms
and Hymns (1854) and Church Hymns (1871). While rector in Whittington, How
wrote some sixty hymns, including many for children. His collected Poems and
Hymns were published in 1886.[2]
A prayer for
Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that
from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought
upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God,
now and forever.
For strong faith in Christ – Almighty and ever-living God, since You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who believe, grant us so perfectly and without all doubt to believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in Your sight may never be reproved; through our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[3]
[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts ©
WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
[3] Prayers from Lutheran Service Book
© 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980
Concordia Publishing House
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