You spread the heavens over us, the earth beneath our feet, and here between the stars and dust we shelter in your keep.
Let not the skies above us fail, their comets fall to earth, but let the embers purning pale keep still their distant berth.
Turn back the terrors of the night, the arrow's flight by day. Let every missile flaming bright turn harmlessly away.
Let every stone we slingshot up be as the snow that falls a wonder, not a wounding drop. Our own destruction halt.
Let earth be as your gentle breast and heaven as your wings, that here between them we may rest on splintered spears and slings.
Bend every bow until it snaps and weave their strings to warm. O Father, turn our weapons back and keep us from all harm!
: Rider with bow (1929) on Pálya street side facaade. – 5 Győző St., Krisztinaváros, Budapest District I.Rider with bow (1929) – Győző St., [[:en:Krisztinaváros|Krisztinaváros]], [[:en:Várkerület|Budapest District I]].}}{{hu|1=: Honfoglaló magyar lovas katona íjjal (Győző utca 5. domborművei) Ohmann Béla?, ifj. Mátrai Lajos alkotása, 1929. – [[:hu:Budapest I. kerülete|Budapest I. kerület]], [[:hu:Krisztinaváros|Krisztinaváros]] városrész, Győző utca, 5 By Globetrotter19 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53438308
Come, the night is nearing;
all my days fly west.
I have long been weary,
striving to be blessed.
Gentle stars appearing
show a road unguessed:
Come, O Lord, draw near me;
lead me to your rest.
Come and take my fearing,
take my anxious breath.
Lay the balm of healing
where I long have bled.
Come, new lights revealing
though the sun has fled.
Come, O Lord, draw near me;
lead me to your rest.
Come, on dark ways stealing,
guide my searching steps.
Though I'm stumbling, reeling,
walk beside me yet.
With your mercy seal me;
touch my heart and head.
Come, O Lord, draw near me;
lead me to your rest.
One for today’s readings, to the tune TANTUM ERGO (“Down In Adoration Falling”):
Come away from all your labor;
come from your relentless tasks.
Come, lay down your shield and saber;
set aside your many masks.
Come away with Christ the Savior:
Rest awhile, just as he asks.
Come away from restless hunger;
come from ever thirsting greed.
Come: Through all the strife and thunder,
Christ alone his flock shall feed.
Come be filled with hope and wonder
where the shepherd knows your need.
Come: The wedding feast is ready
and the sacrifice prepared.
Come, and leave no places empty;
come, the angels' bread to share.
Christ the Lamb his flock is tending;
he shall all your burdens bear.
Come, for Christ, who walks beside you,
sees and knows your weariness.
He, who left the flock to find you,
is your shelter in distress.
Come, and leave all else behind you;
with your loving Savior, rest.
First-ever collaboration with composer Greg Scheer (listen here): What a great experience!
The thunder's rage is roaring,
and lightning flames on high.
I lift my voice, imploring,
but who will hear my cry?
My God, come down; restore me!
From heaven now draw nigh!
Your guarding wings spread o'er me
'til storms have passed me by.
My foes, they hunt and hound me;
my grave they have prepared.
Like lions they surround me,
their words as sharp as spears.
My God, come down; confound them
and catch them in their snares,
Your saving love has found me
and held me in your care.
O God, my heart is ready
to sing and wake the dawn,
for thunder fades already,
the storm will soon be gone
No night outlasts your heaven,
where terrors all are done.
Your mercy lasts forever,
your love goes on and on!
Where are you staying, Lord?
Where can we find you here?
Where sit and listen to your word
with you a handsbreadth near?
May we sit at your feet
wheree'er you come to rest
to find beside you joy complete
and at your side be blest?
As John the Baptist taught,
unworthy here to kneel,
we know you are the Lamb of God,
the Christ who comes to heal.
And so we turn away
from our past teacher's voice
to seek a place with you today,
a reason to rejoice.
Then, rooted in your word,
shall we send forth our shoots,
the practice of what we have heard—
oh, may we bear good fruit!
Not us, but you alone
the force that moves our work,
until at last, before your throne
we rest with you, oh Lord.
Kate Bluett 