The Episcopal Church
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Episcopal Diocese of Springfield

Sermons from St. John the Divine

What do we sing? A song of liberation? Or a song of damnation against those who have wronged us?

October 3, 2010

Psalm 137
Proper 22C

The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem had a really good choir, famous throughout the world. That is, they had a really good choir until the Temple was destroyed in the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. The Temple treasures were plundered and the Temple personnel were carried off to exile in Babylon. The conquerors wanted to make sure that there would be no continued worship of the God of Israel.

Sermon at the Rededication of the Chapel, September 15, 2008

There’s a hymn we’ll sing after communion, a hymn we’ve often used here on anniversaries and dedications and re-dedications. It’s emblematic of this ministry and indeed, of lots of ministries on this campus. The name of its tune is “Commemoration.” Here’s what we’ll be singing:

Our Father, by whose servants our house was built of old,
Whose hand hath crowned her children with blessings manifold,
For thine unfailing mercies far-strewn along our way,
With all who passed before us, we praise thy Name today.

The changeful years unresting their silent course have sped,