22 Feb 2021
MY HYMN OF THANKS
As my 24th year as Bishop draws to a close I’m glad that in the area I reside, it was not as this weekend. Already dealing with a pandemic we are seeing massive cold temperatures below zero causing many activities to be cancelled, yet we smile. Soon I shall vacate the office of Presiding-Bishop to well placed hands.
For my 24th year I could write all of what we have achieved (or-not) but in this celebration I join with Joachim-Neander a Lutheran composer, philosopher and theologian who wrote one of the greatest-hymns of all time, that profiles the Anglican-faith where in our walk-of-life we remember where our guidance and commitment comes. In his epic hymn “Praise to the lord the almighty king of creation” I give my tribute where first I reminisce with Joachim-Neander:
“Praise-to-the-Lord, the Almighty,
the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him,
for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;
praise him in glad adoration”
He continues his scripted-melody of redemption...
Praise-to-the-Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen, how thy desires ever have been
granted in what he ordaineth?
The good years, the turbulent ones, came with much energy, but hear Joachim-Neander again...
Praise-to-the-Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriend thee.
I do not know where the future will lead, but as I continue in the journey in celebration I look back with what Joachim-Neander wrote...
Praise-to-the-Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
sheddeth his light, chaseth the horrors of night,
saints with his mercy surrounding.
Now as my 25th year begins I thank you for being a part of the journey and that you share one last time with Joachim-Neander...
Praise-to-the-Lord,
O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises before him.
Let the amen, sound from his people again,
gladly for all we adore him.
Thank you, where
I remain,
Ever faithful
Hartley. Bishop ACW
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