All Saints Hymn

Every year our Congregation sings "By All Your Saints in Warfare" on All Saints Sunday. I compose a verse for each of our saints who has gone to be with the Lord since the previous All Saints Sunday. Here is this year's hymn:

By all Your saints in warfare,

For all Your saints at rest,

Your holy name, O Jesus,

Forevermore be blest! For You have won the battle

That they might wear the crown;

And now they shine in glory

Reflected from Your throne.

Joseph Koerber

Upon Your holy mountain

A table has been spread,

With finest wines and marrow,

With choicest meats and bread.

We bless you, Lord, for Joseph;

You broke his earthly fast,

Now at Your table feasting

With You, the First and Last.

Norma Wagner

For Norma, Lord, who loved You,

Who made the children smile;

And, in her quiet service,

Though times of joy and trial,

Showed forth the love of Jesus,

Who never left her side,

We bless You and we praise You;

O Lord, with us abide!

Christine Elberth

Lord, like a faithful mother,

You draw us to your breast.

You bless us with Your mercy,

You give us holy rest.

As Christine knew Your presence,

Was drawn beneath Your wing,

May we, O Lord, be gathered;

Your New Song ever sing.

Ruth Merkent

“Your people are my people,

Your God will be my God.

Wherever life may lead you

Beside you, I will trod.”

Like Ruth, who loved Naomi,

She served with all her might,

Your faithfulness, unbroken

And now she dwells in Light.

Gladys Breitenbach

As at the feet of Jesus,

When Mary heard his Word,

And busy Martha served Him,

Her Savior and her Lord;

May we, like faithful Gladys,

Who chose the better way,

Embrace the voice of Jesus

While it is still the day.

June Stozzetto

For June, who loved her family,

We bless your Holy Name.

She loved and served her country

Not seeking praise or fame.

As she worked for our freedom

Upon the mighty sea,

Her life displayed the Savior;

Who died to set us Free.

Fred Kuehl

You are the Holy Bridegroom

Who loved Your Holy Wife,

As Lamb of God, unspotted,

You gave Your holy life.

As Frederick led Your people,

Washed in that Mighty flood,

Prepare us, Lord, to meet You,

Made holy by Your blood.

Walter Breitenbach

He plowed the field and scattered

The good seed on the land,

He tilled and fed and gathered

The gifts from Your own Hand.

We bless you, Lord, for Walter,

Who by his earthly toil,

Gave witness to the Sower

Whose seed fell on good soil.

Then let us praise the Father

And worship God the Son

And sing to God the Spirit,

Eternal Three in One,

Till all the ransomed number

Fall down before the throne,

Ascribing power and glory

And praise to God alone.