"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

The readings for the Second Sunday of Easter were:

Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31

This is the Sunday when we remember Thomas and his doubts. The second Sunday of Easter is always kind of sad. Last week we had over 1,600 at church. This week we didn’t even have a thousand. The sermon was short; there was only one anthem and no Communion service. So, we actually got out of church ten minutes early. Some might like that, but not me. We only have worship once a week now, and we should at least have a good hour. That’s one reason I really prefer the Episcopal Church. Communion is served every week, and the service is usually ninety minutes.

Our first hymn was Easter People Raise Your Voices by William M. James. The hymn tune is Regent Square by Henry T. Smart.

Easter people, raise your voices,
Sounds of heaven in earth should ring.
Christ has brought us heaven's choices;
Heavenly music, let it ring.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing.

Our second hymn was not one of my favorites -
Up from the Grave He Arose written by Robert Lowry. It can sound pretty awful, but our organist kept a brisk tempo and didn’t hold any of those long fermatas that can ruin a good hymn. So it was pleasant to sing it.

1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

Our anthem was O Sons and Daughters of the King written in the late fifteenth century by Jean Tisserand. The tune is the fifteenth century French tune O Filii Et Filiae

O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

An angel clad in white they see,
Who sit and speaks unto the three,
"Your Lord will go to Galilee."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

That night the apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear
And said, "MY peace be with you here."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

When Thomas first the tidings heard
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

"My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon my hands, my feet;
Not faithless but believing be."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"You are my Lord and God!" he cried.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

How blest are they who have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

On this most holy day of days
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voice raise.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Our final hymn was Sing with All the Saints in Glory by William J. Irons, set to Beethoven’s Hymn to Joy.

1. Sing with all the saints in glory,
sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth's dark story,
to the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking,
soon the storms of time shall cease;
in God's likeness we, awaking,
know the everlasting peace.

2. O what glory, far exceeding
all that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts, for ages pleading,
never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it,
there on high our welcome waits.
Every humble spirit shares it;
Christ has passed th'eternal gates.

3. Life eternal! heaven rejoices;
Jesus lives, who once was dead.
Join we now the deathless voices;
child of God, lift up your head!
Patriarchs from the distant ages,
saints all longing for their heaven,
prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,
all await the glory given.

4. Life eternal! O what wonders
crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
when, amidst earth's closing thunders,
saints shall stand before the throne!
O to enter that bright portal,
see that glowing firmament;
know, with thee, O God Immortal,
"Jesus Christ whom thou has sent!"