Above:  The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, January 23, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Original German Words by Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737)

English Translation by Alfred Ramsey (1860-1926)

Hymn Source = Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (1996), Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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1.  O how holy is this place

Where the Lord a house hath given!

Here we come before His face;

This must be the gate of heaven.

Here His Word proclaims His grace.

O how holy is this place!

2.  Thousand thanks, great God, arise

Unto Thee, in grace excelling.

Who, though filling all the skies,

Yet dost make this house Thy dwelling,

And to us dost here dispense

Thy pure Word and Sacraments.

3.  Hither to upon this house

Hath salvation surely rested.

Here our God hath been with us,

And Himself hath manifested.

Here His Spirit He hath giv’n

To reveal the way to heav’n.

4.  O how lovely, meet and right

In His temple to a adore Him!

Let us now in Him delight,

And with gladness come before Him.

Treasures lasting, precious pure,

From above we here secure.

5.  Dearest Guest, with us abide,

With Thy holy Word still feed us;

Hitherto by Thee supplied,

Still by living waters lead us!

Keep Thy Church secure

While the earth itself endure.

Above:  Luther Rose

Image in the Public Domain

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Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737), a German Lutheran pastor, wrote over 900 hymns.

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Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/open-now-thy-gates-of-beauty/

Welcome, Thou Victor in the Strife:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/welcome-thou-victor-in-the-strife/

My Jesus, As Thou Wilt:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/my-jesus-as-thou-wilt/

Lord of Light, Enlighten Me:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/lord-of-light-enlighten-me/

O How Holy is This Place:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/o-how-holy-is-this-place/

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Above:  Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 29, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://picasaweb.google.com/114749828757741527421/TheEpiscopalDioceseOfAtlantaConfirmationAtTheCathedralOfStPhilip#5736962602807092818)

Hymn Source = Lutheran Common Service Book (1917)

Original German words  (1732) by Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737)

English translation (1863) by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878)

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1.  Open now thy gates of beauty,

Zion, let me enter there,

Where my soul, in joyful duty,

Waits for Him Who answers prayer.

O how blessed is this place,

Filled with solace, light, and grace!

2.  Gracious God, I come before Thee,

Come Thou also down to me:

Where we find Thee and adore Thee,

There a heaven on earth must be.

To my heart O enter Thou,

Let it be Thy temple now.

3.  Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,

Here Thy seed is duly sown;

Let my soul, where it is planted,

Being forth precious sheaves alone.

So that all I hear may be

Faithful unto life in me.

4.  Thou my faith increase and quicken,

Let me keep Thy gift divine;

Howso’er temptations thicken,

May Thy Word still o’er me shine,

As my pole-star through my life,

As my comfort in my strife.

5.  Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee,

Let Thy will be done indeed;

May I undisturbed draw near Thee

While Thou dost Thy people feed.

Here of life the fountain flows,

Here is balm for all our woes.

Above:  Easter Vigil, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dunwoody, Georgia, April 25, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://picasaweb.google.com/114749828757741527421/EasterVigilStPatrickS#5735503150412863874)

Hymn Source = Lutheran Common Service Book (1917)

Original German words (1712) by Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737)

English translation (1855) by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878)

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1.  Welcome, Thou Victor in the strife,

Welcome from out the cave!

Today we triumph in Thy life

Around Thine empty grave.

2.  Our enemy is put to shame,

His short-lived triumph o’er;

Our God is with us, we exclaim:

We fear our foe no more.

3.  The dwellings of the just resound

With songs of victory;

For in their midst, Thou, Lord, art found,

And bringest peace with Thee.

4.  O let Thy conqu’ring banner wave

O’er hearts Thou makest free;

And point the path that from the grace

Leads heavenward up to Thee.

Above:  Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 29, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://picasaweb.google.com/114749828757741527421/TheEpiscopalDioceseOfAtlantaConfirmationAtTheCathedralOfStPhilip#5736970344353072658)

Hymn Source = The Church Hymnal (1935), of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ

Original German words (1716) by Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737)

English translation (1854) by Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813-1897)

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1.  My Jesus, as thou wilt!

Oh, may thy will be mine;

Into thy hands of love I would my all resign,

Through sorrow, or through joy,

Conduct me as thine own,

And help me still to say,

My Lord, thy will be done.

2.  My Jesus, as thou wilt!

Though seen through many a tear,

Let not my star of hope

Grow dim or disappeer;

Since thou on earth hast wept,

And sorrowed oft alone,

If I must weep with thee,

My Lord, thy will be done.

3.  My Jesus, as thou wilt!

All shall be well for me;

Each charging future scene

I gladly trust with thee;

Straight to my home above

I travel calmly on,

And sing, in life or death,

My Lord, thy will be done.

Above:  Dawn

Hymn Source = The New Psalms and Hymns (1901), of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (1861-1983)

Original German words (1714) by Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737)

English translation (1858) by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878)

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1.  Lord of light, enlighten me!

Now anew the day is dawning;

Sun of grace, the shadows flee;

Brighten Thou my Sabbath morning!

With Thy joyous sunshine blest,

Happy is my day of rest.

2.  Fount of all our joy and peace,

To Thy living waters lead me;

Thou from earth my soul release,

And with grace and mercy feed me;

Bless Thy word that it may prove

Rich in fruits that Thou dost love.

3.  Kindle Thou the sacrifice

That upon my lips is lying;

Clear the shadows from mine eyes,

That, from every error flying,

No strange fire may in me glow

That Thine altar doth not know.

4.  Let me with my heart today,

Holy, holy, holy, singing,

Rapt awhile from earth away,

All my soul to Thee up-springing,

Have a foretaste inly given,

How they worship Thee in heaven.

5.  Rest in me and I in Thee,

Build a paradise within me;

O reveal Thyself to me;

Blessed Love, who died’st to win me;

Fed from Thine exhaustless urn,

Pure and bright my lamp shall burn.

6.  Hence all care, all vanity,

For the day to God is holy:

Come, Thou glorious majesty,

Deign to fill this temple lowly;

Naught today my soul shall move,

Simply resting in Thy love.