Above:  St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Snellville, Georgia, June 29, 2015

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Danish Words (1837) by Nikolai Grundtvig (1783-1872)

English Translation (1909) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Abide among us, we implore Thee,

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Spirit breathe!

And let the babes we bring before Thee

Now be baptized into Thy death.

2.  Lord, after Thee we Christians call them,

O let them in Thy name arise!

And keep them Thine whate’er befall them,

That they may reach Thy paradise.

3.  If Thou their earthly race shouldst lengthen,

Thy faithful servants let them prove;

If few their days, their weakness strengthen,

That they may share Thy dying love.

4.  O write Thy blessed name, dear Savior,

Upon their hearts, we Thee implore;

And on Thy palms engrave this favor,

That they are Thine for evermore.

Above:  St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, December 16, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

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

Original Danish words by Nikolai Grundtvig (1783-1872)

English Translation by S. D. Rodholm (1877-1951)

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1.  Blossom as a rose shall here

All the desert places,

Blossom when the golden year

Shines on sadden’d faces.

Glory crowns proud Lebanon,

Carmel’s height has splendor won,

Flowers bloom in Sharon.

2.  Sight is given to the blind

And their eyes shall glisten;

Ev’ry mute his voice shall find,

All the deaf shall listen;

Like the hart the lame shall leap,

Zion never more shall weep,

Peace reign forever.

3.  Thus Isaiah prophesied

In the days of sadness.

Ages passed, then far and wide

Spread the news of gladness:

Christ is here, with us He stands,

Changing with His loving hand

Desert wastes to Eden.

4.  Hail our King at God’s right hand,

Jesus and His Spirit

Lead us to the promised land

We by faith inherit.

And though death by drawing near,

Words of life the deaf shall hear;

Mutes shall sing His praises.

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

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5900573726256533201/5900575391053106290?banner=pwa&pid=5900575391053106290&oid=114749828757741527421)

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

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.  Thy blessings fill our earthly need,

Thy blessing is Thy people’s meed,

The blessing from Thy hands, O Lord,

Is wine upon Thy festal board.

2.  The blessing which God’s promise here,

Was given Abraham of yore,

But not until the Savior’s birth

Its fullness was reveal’d on earth.

3.  The blessing now, like dew and rain,

Doth fall on ev’ry land and main

And to the church of Christ is sent

Through our baptismal covenant.

4.  The blessing to His church on earth

Gives at the font to man new birth

And through the bread and cup imparts

The life of Jesus to our hearts.

5.  For blessings manifold give praise,

To heaven thankful voices raise!

God’s blessing then for evermore

Shall on His church like showers pour.

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

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5747363209258926353/5747629531628195106?banner=pwa&pid=5747629531628195106&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.  Holy Spirit, come with light,

Break the dark and gloomy night

With Thy day unending;

Help us with a joyful lay

Greet the Lord’s triumphant day,

Now with might ascending.

2.  Comforter so wondrous kind,

Noble Guest of heart and mind,

Fix in us Thy dwelling.

Give us peace in storm and strice,

Fill each weary heart and life

With Thy joy excelling.

3.  Make salvation clear to us,

Who, despite our sin and dross,

Are in Thee confiding.

Lest our life be void and vain,

With Thy light and love remain

Aye in us abiding.

4.  Raise or bow us with Thine arm,

Break temptation’s evil charm,

Clear our clouded vision.

Fill our heart with longings new,

Cleanse us with Thy morning dew,

Tears of deep contrition.

5.  Thou who givest life and death,

Let our hope in view of death

Blossom bright and vernal;

And above the silent tomb

Let the Easter lilies bloom,

Signs of life eternal.

Above:  St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dunwoody, Georgia, Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5747363209258926353/5748469851484358210?banner=pwa&pid=5748469851484358210&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.  Holy Ghost, our Interceder,

Comforter, and constant Pleader

With the Lord for all we need,

Deign to hold with us communion

That with Thee in blessed union

In our life we may succeed.

2.  Holy Counselor and Teacher,

Through Thy counsel make us richer

In the grace our Lord has won.

Spirit, in whom dwells God’s fullness,

Make us all, despite our dullness,

Wiser e’en than Solomon.

3.  Helper of the helpless, harken

To our sighs when shadows darken,

Guard us from the beasts of prey.

Rouse the careless, help the weary,

Bow the prideful, cheer the dreary,

Be our guest each passing day.

4.  Comforter, whose comfort lightens

Ev’ry burden which us frightens,

Succor us from sin and shame.

Stir our hearts, inspire our vision,

Add Thy strength to our petition,

As we pray in Jesus’ name.

Above:  Christ Pantocrator

(Image in the Public Domain)

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.  Jesus, the name without compare,

Honor’d on earth and in heaven,

Wherein the Father’s love and care

Is to His children now given.

Savior of all that saved can be,

Fount of God’s grace and mercy free,

Is the Lord Jesus forever.

2.  Jesus, the name alone on earth

Is to redemption afforded,

And at His cross of precious worth

Are we salvation accorded;

Now in His name our pray’rs are heard;

Only in that, when hearts are stirr’d,

Doth now the Spirit us comfort.

3.  Jesus, the name above the sky

Wherein, when seasons are ended,

Nations shall come to God on high,

And ev’ry knee shall be bended,

While all the saved in sweet accord

Sing to the praise of Christ the Lord,

Savior belov’d by the Father.

Above:  Live Nativity Scene, St. Teresa’s Episcopal Church, Acworth, Georgia, December 22, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5824581108495648417/5824871198368560498?banner=pwa&pid=5824871198368560498&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.  A Babe is born in Bethlehem,

Bethlehem,

Rejoice, rejoice, Jerusalem,

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

2.  A lowly virgin gave Him birth,

Gave him birth,

Who rules the heavens and the earth,

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

3.  He in a simple manger lay,

Manger lay,

Whom angels praise with joy for aye.

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

4.  And wise men from the East did bring,

East did bring,

Gold, myrrh, and incense to the king.

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

5.  Now all our fears have pass’d away,

Pass’d away,

The Savior blest was born today.

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

6.  God’s blessed children we became,

We became,

And shall in heaven praise His name,

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

7.  Then like the angels we shall be,

We shall be,

God’s holy presence we shall see,

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

8.  The angels there with great delight,

Great delight,

Will teach the song they sang that night,

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

9.  With gladsome praises we adore,

We adore,

Our Lord and Savior evermore,

Hallelujah, hallelujah.

Above:  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/5872391793912748097/5872399898782601154?banner=pwa&pid=5872399898782601154&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.  Fair beyond telling,

Lord, is Thy dwelling,

Filled with Thy peace.

Oh, how I languish

And, in my anguish,

Wait for release,

That I may enter Thy temple, O Lord,

With Thee communing in deepest accord.

2.  With Thy compassion,

Lord of salvation,

Naught can compare,

Even the sparrow,

Safe from the arrow,

Rests in Thy care.

And as Thou shieldest the bird in its nest,

So let my heart in Thy temple find rest.

3.  Years full of splendors,

Which to offenders

Earth may afford,

Never can measure

One day of pleasure

Found with Thee, Lord,

When on the wings of Thy quickening word

Souls are uplifted and Thou art adored.

4.  Rich in Thy blessing,

Onward progressing

Are now Thy friends,

Strengthened in spirit,

Each by Thy merit

Upward ascends

Till, when at home in that city of gold,

All shall in wonder Thy presence behold.

Above:  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/5872391793912748097/5872398892504401570?banner=pwa&pid=5872398892504401570&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.  This is the day which the Lord hath giv’n;

Greatly His people rejoices;

Open today are the portals of heav’n;

Lift now in gladness your voices,

For on this day of rejoicing

Jesus ascended with glorious might,

Sent us His Spirit with grace and light,

Gladly His praise we are voicing.

2.  Grant us, Lord Jesus, Thy wisdom and grace;

Enter this Sunday Thy dwelling,

Millions unnumbered from ev’ry race

Happy Thy praises are swelling,

Yea, may we praise Thee with gladness!

Freely Thy Spirit attends our need,

Blessing Thy people in word and deed,

Bringing rejoicing for sadness.

3.  Lend us, O Savior, Thy high altar’s fire

As in Thy house we assemble,

With Thine own presence our spirits inspire

Till we in ecstasy tremble;

Ever our joy is increasing,

Easter and Whitsun from Chrstmas grew:

Thus shall each Sunday our joy anew

Spring from Thy mercy unceasing.

4.  Quicken and strengthen Thy people today;

Bless them, O Lord, at Thine altar.

Lend us Thy wisdom and counsel, we pray,

Sanction Thy gospel and psalter.

Yea, may we know by Thy Spirit:

We are Thy people to grace restored;

Full of compassion art Thou, O Lord;

Christians Thy glory inherit.