Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Put on the Whole Armor of God
1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43
Psalm 84
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69

Our pastor preached from the Epistle reading today – “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

The first hymn was Hope of the World by Georgia Harkness
Born in Harkness, New York, Georgia Harkness (1891-1974), was the first woman to teach theology in an American seminary. She taught at Mount Holyoke, Garrett Biblical Institute, and the Pacific School of Religion. In addition to her twenty books, she wrote the hymn, "Hope of the World," selected by the Hymn Society of America for the Evanston Assembly of the World Council of Churches.

Hope of the world, God’s gift from highest heaven,
Bringing to hungry souls the bread of life,
Still let thy spirit unto us be given,
To heal earth’s wounds and end all bitter strife.

Hope of the world, who by the cross did save us,
From death and dark despair, from sin and guilt,
We render back the love thy mercy gave us;
Take thou our lives, and use them as thou wilt.

Hope of the world, O Christ o’er death victorious,
Who by this sign didst conquer grief and pain,
We would be faithful to thy gospel glorious;
Thou art our Lord! Thou dost forever reign.

Our second hymn was
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus by George Duffield, Jr. The hymn tune is called Webb by George J. Webb. This is an old chestnut that I don’t really like that much, but it fit the Epistle reading.


1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
his army shall he lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.

4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor's song.
To those who vanquish evil
a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.

Ditto on the final hymn – not one of my favorites, but it surely fits the Epistle reading.

Onward Christian Soldiers by the Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould set to the tune St. Gertrude by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
Baring-Gould was a great collector of English folk music and folk tales. His marriage to a 16-year-old mill girl was the inspiration for Shaw’s Pygmalion.
This very popular hymn was sung at Ike’s funeral in 1969.


Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Refrain

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Refrain

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Refrain

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Refrain

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Refrain

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Refrain