Saturday, March 4

I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

Isaiah 49:6b

God of Grace and God of Glory

God of grace and God of glory, On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story, Bring her bud to glorious flower.

Refrain:
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil ’round us, Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us, Free our hearts to faith and praise.
[Refrain]
Cure Thy children’s warring madness, Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness, Rich in things and poor in soul.
[Refrain]
Set our feet on lofty places, Gird our lives that they may be,
Armored with all Christ-like graces, In the fight to set men free.
[Refrain]
Save us from weak resignation, To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation, Be our glory evermore.
[Refrain]

This hymn was written by Harry Emerson Fosdick for the 1930 opening service of Riverside Church. This beautiful church was built near Harlem in New York City by John D. Rockefeller in the years between the two Great Wars as Fascism was growing in Europe and as the Great Depression was beginning. The words of the hymn still speak to the church today.

Dear Lord, help us be Your people, that we may be a light to the nations. Amen

Charlotte Fischer