Above:  Roses, Between 1900 and 1905

Image Publisher = Detroit Publishing Company

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-det-4a20684

Original Danish Words by Hans Adolf Brorson (1694-1764)

English Translation by Jens Christian Aaberg (1877-1970)

Hymn Source = The Concordia Hymnal:  A Hymnal for Church, School and Home (1932), Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church

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1.  Now found is the fairest of roses,

‘Mongst briars it sweetly reposes;

My Jesus is so precious and holy

Abode among sinners so lowly.

2.  Since man his Creator deserted

And wholly His image perverted,

The world like a desert was lying,

And all in transgression were dying.

3.  But God, as His promise had granted,

A Rose in the desert has planted,

Which now is with sweetness endowing

The race that in evil was growing.

4.  All men should with gladness forever

Give praises to God for His favor,

But many have ne’er comprehended

The Rose to the world has descended.

5.  My Jesus, Thou ever remainest

My glory and crown, who sustainest

My heart in the fullness of pleasure;

Thy sweetness alone I will treasure.

6.  The world may of all thins bereave me,

Its thorns may annoy and aggrieve me,

The foe may affliction engender,

My rose I will never surrender.

Above:  The Right Reverend Keith Whitmore, Assistant Bishop of Atlanta, at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, April 28, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5872391793912748097/5872401213900178610?banner=pwa&pid=5872401213900178610&oid=114749828757741527421)

Original Danish Words by Thomas Hansen Kingo (1634-1703)

English Translation by the Reverend P. C. Paulsen (1881-1948)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  Lord Jesus Christ, receive me now,

As with a contrite heart I bow

Before Thine altar, blessed Lamb,

Who bore my sorrow, sin, and shame.

2.  I am today my Savior’s guest

Bethink, my soul, the honor blest,

That He, thy lord, will sup with thee,

And will Himself thy nurture be.

3.  To thee He offers with the bread

His body which for sin hast paid,

And with the wine, the precious blood,

He shed for thine eternal good.

4.  How this is done, I cannot tell,

He did not on its myst’ry dwell.

No mind the secret can perceive;

It is enough that I believe.

5.  Rejoice, then, O my soul, today,

That God’s anointed servant may

Extend to thee the gift most free,

Through which the Lord unites with thee.

6.  O Lord, I offer Thee my soul

To nourish, strengthen, and make whole.

Uphold me by Thy means of grace,

Until I see Thee face to face.

Above:  The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, Bishop of Atlanta, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Columbus, Georgia, August 25, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5916455942624022593/5916470796669857442?banner=pwa&pid=5916470796669857442&oid=114749828757741527421)

Original Danish Words by Thomas Hansen Kingo (1634-1703)

English Translation by the Reverend P. C. Paulsen (1881-1948)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  O dearest Lord, receive from me

The heartfelt thanks I offer Thee,

Who thro’ Thy body and the Thy blood,

Hast wrought my soul’s eternal good.

2.  Break forth, my soul, in joy and praise,

What wealth is mine this day of days!

My Jesus dwells within my soul;

Let ev’ry tongue His grace extol.

Above:  St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, Suwanee, Georgia, September 8, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5921622533790876561/5921685780307812162?banner=pwa&pid=5921685780307812162&oid=114749828757741527421)

Original Danish Words by Thomas Hansen Kingo (1634-1703)

English Translation by the Reverend P. C. Paulsen (1881-1948)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  I come, invited by Thy word,

To kneel before Thine altar, Lord.

Receive me, then, and bid me stay

With Thee, the Life, the Truth, the Way.

2.  Oh, grant my soul the heav’nly food,

Thy blessed body and Thy blood.

Enrich me thro’ this means of grace

And make my heart Thy dwelling place.

3.  Forgive my sins, supply my need,

Forget, forget each wrongful deed.

Do Thou in love with me abide

And let Thy Spirit be my Guide.

Above:  St. Mary and Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, Buford, Georgia

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5809999763099999377/5810005412084850418?banner=pwa&pid=5810005412084850418&oid=114749828757741527421)

Original Danish Words by Thomas Hansen Kingo (1634-1703)

English Translation by Jens Christian Aaberg (1877-1970)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  Softly now the day is ending,

Night o’er hill and vale descending;

I will kneel before Thee, Lord.

Unto Thee my thanks I render

That Thou didst, in mercy tender,

Life and peace to me accord.

2.  May Thy Church Thy peace inherit;

Guide our leaders by Thy Spirit;

Give our country strength and peace.

To the sinner, sad and dreary,

To each Christian, faint and weary,

Give Thou solace and surcease.

3.  Keep me, Jesus, while I slumber,

Free from perils without number;

Shield me, Master, in Thy might,

That, released from sin and sorrow,

I may sing this song tomorrow:

Jesus was my sun this night.

Above:  All Angels Episcopal Church, Eatonton, Georgia, December 24, 2009

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5420764542723000881/5420766365059194738?banner=pwa&pid=5420766365059194738&oid=114749828757741527421)

Original Danish Words by Hans Adolph Brorson (1694-1764)

English Translation by Jens Christian Aaberg (1877-1970)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  My heart remains in wonder

Before that lowly bed

Within the stable yonder

Where Christ, my Lord, was laid.

My faith finds there its treasure,

My heart its pure delight,

A joy beyond all measure,

The blessed Christmas night.

2.  But oh, my heart is riven

With grief and sore dismay

To see the Lord of heaven

Repose on straw and hay,

That He, whom angels offer

Their worship and acclaim,

From sinful man must suffer

Such scorn, neglect, and shame.

3.  Why should not castles royal

Before him open stand,

And kings as servants loyal

Obey His least command

Why came He not in splendor,

Arrayed in robes of light,

And called the world to render

Its homage to His might.

4.  The sparrow finds a gable

Where it may build its next,

The oxen know their stable

For shelter, food, and rest,

Must then my Lord and Savior

A homeless stranger go,

Denied the simplest favor

His lowly creatures know?

5.  O come, my Lord, I pray Thee!

And be my honor’d guest,

I will in love array Thee

A home within my breast.

That home can be no stranger

To Thee, who made me free,

Thou shalt find there a manger

Warmed by my love to Thee.

Above:  The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, Bishop of Atlanta, at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, Suwanee, Georgia, September 8, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5921622533790876561/5921387044927586386?banner=pwa&pid=5921387044927586386&oid=114749828757741527421)

Original Danish Words by Hans Christensen Stehn (1540/1544-1610)

English Translation by the Reverend J. C. Aaberg (1877-1970)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  Lord Jesus Christ,

My Savior blest,

My refuge and salvation,

I trust in Thee,

Abide in me,

Thy word shall be

My hope and consolation.

2.  I will confide,

Whate’er betide,

In Thy compassion tender.

When grief and stress

My heart oppress,

Thou wilt redress

And constant help me render.

3.  When I  must weep

In sorrow deep,

Thy loving care enfolds me.

I have no fear

When Thou art near,

My Savior dear;

Thy saving hand upholds me.

4.  Lord, I will be

Alway with Thee,

Wherever Thou wilt have me.

Do Thou control

My heart and soul

And make me whole,

Thy grace alone can save me.

5.  Yea, help us, Lord,

With one accord

To love and serve Thee solely,

That henceforth we

May dwell with Thee

In Jubilee

And see Thy presence holy.

Above:  St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Dahlonega, Georgia, July 14, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Original Danish Words by Hans Christensen Stehn (1540/1544-1610)

English Translation by the Reverend J. C. Aaberg (1877-1970)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  The gloomy night to morning yields,

And brightly the day is breaking;

The sun now ascends o’er woods and fields,

The birds are with songs awaking.

God lend us His counsel and speed our days,

With grace unceasing surround us

2.  The Lord be prais’d for evermore

That He hath His peace us given,

And, ever in grief and troubles sore,

Hath sent us His light from heaven.

God lend us His counsel and speed our days,

With grace unceasing surround us.

3.  On Easter morn, at break of day,

Our Lord from the grave ascended;

He open’d to life and light the way

And terrors of darkness ended.

God lend us His counsel and speed our days,

With grace unceasing surround us.

4.  Redeem us, Lord, from death’s strong hand,

Thy grace us from sin deliver,

Enlighten us till with Thine we stand,

And make us Thy servants ever.

God lend us His counsel and speed our days,

With grace unceasing surround us.

5.  Then shall with praise we seek repose

When day unto night has yielded,

And safe in Thine arms our arms we close

And rest by Thy mercy shielded.

God lend us His counsel and speed our days,

With grace unceasing surround us.

Above:  The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, June 26, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5892832548765357057/5893827150187086834?banner=pwa&pid=5893827150187086834&oid=114749828757741527421)

Original Danish Words by Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872)

English Translation by the Reverend J. C. Aaberg (1877-1970)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  Savior, whither should we go

From the truest Friend we know,

From the Son of God above,

From the Fount of saving love,

Who is all this world of strife

Hath alone the world of life.

2.  No, I dare not turn from Thee,

Though Thy words oft chasten me,

For throughout this world, O Lord,

Death is still the cruel word

Whoso saves the soul from death

Brings redemption, life and breath.

3.  “Eat my flesh and drink my blood,”

Saith our Lord, most kind and good,

“Whoso takes this bread and wine

Shall receive My life divine,

Be redeem’d from all his foes

And arise as I arose.”

4.  Hear Him, O my heart distress’d,

Resting troubled in my breast,

Take thy Savior at His word,

Meet Him at His altarboard,

Eat His body, drink His blood

For thy true eternal good.

Above:  The Right Reverend Keith Whitmore, Assistant Bishop of Atlanta, at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dunwoody, Georgia, Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Original Danish Words by Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872)

English Translation by the Reverend J. C. Aaberg (1877-1970)

Hymn Source = Hymnal for Church and Home, Third Edition (1938), of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church, denominations with Danish heritage

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/assembled-in-this-thy-house-danish-american-lutherans-1870-1962/

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1.  Holy Spirit, still our sorrow,

In our hearts Thy light reveal,

Turn our darkness into morrow

And the fount of life unseal;

Give us comfort, strength and breath,

Light in darkness, life in death.

2.  God’s eternal might and glory

Lie reveal’d before Thy sight,

And salvation’s wondrous story

Thou alone canst bring to light

When to us from heav’n above

Thou descendest with God’s love.

3.  Maker of the new creation,

Prove to us what Thou can’st do,

Save us from the foe’s temptation,

Through God’s Word our faith renew,

Build Thy temple in our breast,

Fill Thy house with peace and rest.