We Are Called to Stand Together

Today's LSB lectionary reading is Acts 13:42-52 in which Paul and Barnabas are preaching Christ Jesus to Jew and Gentile alike.  Many believed, but Paul and Barnabas also faced persecution for the message they preached.  We too are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus' life, death and resurrection in our world today, to be salutary salt and brilliant light, to stand in that succession of believers which extends backward through time.

1.  We are called to stand together

        With the saints of ages past,

            With the patriarchs and prophets

       In the faith they once held fast;

                 Promises and hopes they treasured

        Now we find fulfilled at last!

2.  Those whom Jesus called apostles

        Journeyed with Him side by side,

           Heard His teaching, felt His power

        Saw the way He lived and died;

              Then the news of resurrection

        They delivered far and wide.

3.  Through the intervening ages

         Round the world the Gospel spread:

            Faithful heralds took the message,

         Guided where the Spirit led;

               So the body grew in stature,

         Serving Christ, the living head.

4.  Now to many tongues and cultures

        Songs of celebration ring;

           Millions who confess our Savior

        Honor Him as Lord and King

              And for courage, grace and guidance

        Ev'ry day their prayers they bring.

5.  To each coming generation

        Tell the truth, persuade, explain,

           Till the time when time is ended,

        Till the Savior comes again--

              Till the saints are all united

        Under Christ's eternal reign!

"We Are Called to Stand Together" is hymn #828 in Lutheran Service Book.  There it is wed to Henry Gerike's strong tune ASCENDED TRIUMPH.

Martin Leckebusch was born in Leicester, Great Britain, in 1962 and educated at Oriel College, Oxford and Brunel University.  He and his wife Jane have four daughters; their second child, a son, died in 1995.  Since 1987 he has written nearly 400 hymn texts, of which around half have so far been published by Kevin Mayhew.