New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
Rise by Ashley Dean Coppola.

Lyrics:
Out of love for you
Once was veiled by darkness came to light
For your sake I your God
Became the man whom you betrayed

See my face
See my side
Hold my hands pierced by you
And let me lead
On the cross
Love brought forth
And the pain in my side
Healed the pain in yours

Earth is still fast asleep
Flesh has died and love draws near
In the dark bound by chains
All who slumber now awake

Take my hand
Rise from sleep
Let it go
Give me everything
You are found
You are free
I live in you
And you in me
Take my hand
Rise from sleep
Let it go
Give me everything

Passage:
13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 CSB17)

Musical Reflection:
Children of the Heavenly Father (TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA), trad. Swedish folk song

Reflection Notes:
Lina Sandell-Berg purportedly wrote the lyrics for this hymn after witnessing her father’s untimely death in a boating accident. Her text focuses on our heavenly Father, who will never leave us or forsake us, in life or in death. The tune originates from a 19th-century Swedish folk song, its sweet fluidity well-suited for the words of comfort.

Prayer:
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.