John E. Bode

Hebrews 6:10-12

      For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 O Jesus, I Have Promised LBW

 1    O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
     remain forever near me, my master and my friend.
      I shall not fear the battle if you are by my side,
      nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.

2    Oh, let me feel you near me; the world is ever near.
      I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear.
      My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
      but, Jesus, then draw nearer to shield my soul from sin.

3    Oh, let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still
      above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.
      Now speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
      now speak and make me listen, O Guardian of my soul.

4    O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you
      that where you are in glory your servant shall be too.
      And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
      oh, give me grace to follow, my master and my friend.

 Text: John E. Bode, 1816-1874, alt.

       I have been pastor at ACLC for 30 years.  In that time our children have been baptized, celebrated first communions, and Confirmation here. Three of them were married at Abiding Christ - the two oldest baptized all of our grandchildren here. On Easter our two youngest will celebrate their first communion along with four other young persons.

      It is a privilege to be celebrate such events with family of blood and family of faith!  

      Pastor John Bode wrote this hymn for the confirmation of his own children. He wrote it for them and all children who face the decision to enter into a fuller expression of their faith.  As his second stanza declares; “Oh, let me feel you near me; the world is ever near. I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear. My foes are ever near me, around me and within; but, Jesus, then draw nearer to shield my soul from sin.” It is easy for us to blame our problems on people and events outside of us, but the greatest foe is often found within us!

Prayer:  God of the ages, be with us in our every trial.  Help us remember the promises we made at our confirmations, promises only made possible by the promise you made for us at baptism.  Keep us, this day and always, from sin.  Amen.