Our congregation, St Stephen’s Lutheran in Adelaide, was seriously divided in 2003. I won’t bore you with the details, but it was a major problem.
While this was happening the new church year was about to begin. I wrote new words to an old tune, Hassler’s ‘O Sacred Head’. The words of verse 1 & 3 are a prayer, a plea, while verse 2 is a reflection on the beauty of the world, & the sad state of humanity.
Hassler’s tune, from the 16th century, has always been a favourite, & works just as well on guitar as on piano or organ. (Paul Simon used it for his ‘American Tune’ on his ‘There goes Rhymin Simon’ album back in 1973). With a simple rhyming pattern of ABCB (x2), it’s a great bit of music to use for the right subject.
1. Give us a new beginning
where we can start again.
So many things are broken
that only you can mend.
Your presence can revive us,
the touch of your embrace.
We walk in deepest darkness,
— show us your loving face.
2. Such beauty in a flower,
such glory in the sky;
and yet our lives unravel
no matter what we try.
Such constant disappointment
when dreams are crushed once more,
when truth is rarely spoken,
and peace turns into war.
3. O come to us, Lord Jesus,
we’re fearful and distressed.
The earth and heaven tremble
and nothing is at rest.
O come and make a new world
where tears are wiped away,
where love is like the bright sun
that rises ev’ry day.
Luther suggests we begin each day asking for forgiveness for wrongs done, & asking for a new start. Good advice, I think.
