We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
"Be not affrighted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia! Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia! Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
The wonderful tune which brings back every Easter in one's life, and a few tears, too. Composer? Unknown. Words by Charles Wesley, 1739. The verses were written for the opening of the Wesleyan Chapel in London, in an old foundry. Hence the term Foundry Collection of hymns.
The rest of Wesley's verses of the song are on the continuation page, below.
Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia! Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia! Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia! Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured, Alleluia! Now above the sky He is King, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
I loved to sing in the choir; was a member for eight years during my youth.
Thank you for bring back the glorious sound of this joyful day.
If I am to get to a church of my tradition I will have to take a ferry boat. That means waiting in line for about 45 minutes, and then another 1.5 hours of driving. That is one way. After forcing out the traditional priests in our diocese, our bishop has called himself gracious by allowing the parishes over on the outer islands to remain traditional. That way he claims himself to be collaborative and tolerant.
Thank you Ben David--coming from you it has a special meaning. In that same spirit I would ask that you help me to connect with a Rabbi that would like to try to help us. In the beginning there was a young asistant Rabbi who was not orthodox. I thought he was going to try to help--but he was moved to somewhere else before he could do anything for us. You could make a suggestion here, or tell me where to send my email.
#13
Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz
on
2016-03-28 01:06
(Reply)
For more on Charles Wesley's Foundry Church building please visit the article at https://www.francisasburytriptych.com/john-wesleys-foundry-church/. Thank you for the hymn.
#14
Al DeFilippo
(Link)
on
2016-03-28 11:50
(Reply)
Beautiful and stirring. One of my favorites. Always reminds me of Easter service with my grandmother and all my cousins. Sung joyously again yesterday at our local church. Thank you!
Alleluia, that uplifting cry. So moving. I adore Easter and the return of Alleluia after Lent.
Last night before going to Easter Vigil, I watched Risen. In my opinion this movie has a powerful message of faith, and gets to me, always the message rocks me again. Every time.
Fiennes' character's, Tribune Clavius', journey to faith, rough journey to faith, takes my breath away.
But easily the most intense scene, a small scene, is when he finally finds the guard from the tomb. The guard, originally paid to lie about the Resurrection, having nothing to lose, tells Tribune, with awe and tears, what he saw that night.
I highly recommend the movie. At least to me it roars loudly, He is Risen!
We belong to the "early Christians" at our parish (go to 8:30 am Communion with no hymns) as opposed to the "Later Day Saints" who have the full meal deal with children. However, Easter Sunday even the early Christians have music, and celebrate in the main body of the church as opposed to the side chapel which is their normal home. We began with "Alleluia! The Strife Is O'er" but progressed to "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" for the offertory.
As a server at the early service, I am used to the intimacy of the side chapel, and find the chancel formidable. The distance from the main altar to the congregation is very far for one who is accustomed to seeing the pews close to the communion rails. But, on Easter, I give the best that I can.
"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future...."
To quote the words of a more recently written hymn, each of us can be secure in God's grace because He is risen indeed.
Second, sadly I have to wonder if the Mount Olivet United Methodist Church went to the dark side. The one Mrs. Mudbug and I went to for almost twenty years did so we left.
I lost my church in the early years of this new century. Not just because the church ordained the first woman as the leader. But, rather because she demanded obedience to homosexuality or they lost their church buildings through many, many lawsuits.
For me, I will listen to this song in the quiet of my sewing room and say the old prayers which I remember or have found online.
