Awake, O Sleeper, Rise and See

Written in 2005 to the glory of God on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.  Based on the latter portion of Ephesians 5:8-14, the appointed epistle for the 4th Sunday in Lent, Series A.

1. Awake, O sleeper, rise and see 
   This great and glorious mystery, 
   This shining promise, ever new: 
   The hope of glory—Christ in you!
   
   
2. Although life’s heartaches, trials, and sin 
   Combine to grieve your hope within, 
   Rejoice! Your Savior’s grace is great, 
   Made perfect in your weakened state.
   
   
3. Come, share that life formed by His cross 
   And for Christ’s sake, come suffer loss; 
   His Spirit works your life to fill
   With all good things to do His will.
   
   
4. For you no longer live, but He
   Who washed you clean and set you free; 
   Baptized in Christ, you now are saved, 
   Forever on His palms engraved.
   
   
5. Christ offers you, with nail-scarred hand, 
   True manna for this desert land:
   His body and His blood divine
   Beneath the sacred bread and wine!
   
   
6. Our Savior never leaves His own 
   As orphans, hungry and alone; 
   He promises with surety:
   “I am in you and you in Me.”
   
   
7. Such precious gifts do not disdain; 
   Do not receive God’s grace in vain, 
   But cherish, as His children true, 
   The hope of glory—Christ in you.