Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Victory Won

Today is a day of loss and a day of victory. The death of Al Boland who served as Deacon at Our Saviour from 1974-2009 was presented to the congregation by Charlie during today's announcements. It was particularly difficult at the dismissal today, as Al would often be the one to say, "Let us go forth in the name of Christ" to which we all would reply, "Thanks be to God!" I choked, and I think that Charlie almost did too.

Thank you Al for all you did for the people of Our Saviour.

Please pause and pray for Al's family.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The strife is o'er, the battle done,
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed:
let shout of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The three sad days are quickly sped,
he rises glorious from the dead:
all glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
He closed the yawning gates of hell,
the bars from heaven's high portals fell;
let hymns of praise his triumphs tell!
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Lord! by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!

Hymn 208, 1982 Hymnal
Words: Symphonia Sirenum Selectarum, 1695;
trans. Francis Pott (1832-1909)

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:52 AM

    It is well worth celebrating the lives of those pillars of the church, those who exemplify the rock of faith upon which the rest of us are to build our relationship with Christ. One sees such people everywhere and I can only imagine Christ ultimately greeting them with the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

    Cheers.

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  2. Anonymous4:15 PM

    Thank you - well said.
    Signed,
    C2G

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  3. A great tribute to Mr. Boland on his promotion to glory. May the God of all comfort encourage all that knew and loved him at Our Saviour.

    This site is a treasure of a discovery. Keep up the good work,

    A fellow TEC insurgent

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