A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 5/21

Ascension Day is almost over, Lord:
we've heard the story of your gathering your friends,
your ascending from their sight, your going up to heaven,
your leaving them to wait for your Spirit to descend...

And what did you friends do, Lord,
on the night of your Ascension?
I picture them gathered in that upper room
where you had broken bread and shared a cup with them
the night before you died...

And huddled there together,
waiting for your Spirit's mystery-visit,
I hear them telling, once again, the stories of your life:

- the story of your calling them together as his friends;
- the stories of your preaching and the stories you told
   to help them understand the word you came to share;
- the stories of your healing the sick,
   those bent low in body, mind and spirit;
- the stories of your traveling from town to town
   to tell the good news: your Father's mercy;
- the story of your suffering, your death,
   and their deserting you, in your hour of greatest need;
- and the story of your rising and your meeting them again
   and greeting them with blessings of pardon and of peace...

Tonight, then, Lord, help me remember:

- the story of your calling me and my growth
   in understanding and in loving you;
- your stories, the words and parables,
   that deeply touch my heart and guide my steps;
- the stories of the times you've helped me,
   healed me and mended my brokenness;
- the story of how you've followed me, everywhere I go,
   and the good news that you've never left my side;
- the story of your love for me, your saving love upon the Cross,
   in spite of all the ways I've betrayed your faithful care;
- the stories of your appearing to me, showing up in my life,
   often when I least expect you - but when I really need you;
- the story of my life with you, a story not yet ended,
   a story we're still writing, telling, sharing, living - you and I...

There's not a bedtime story I might hear, Lord,
greater than the story of your life and love for me:
send the mystery of your Spirit to anoint me,
to anoint my heart and soul with the fire of your love...

May the memories of your story
fill my night with peaceful dreams
and give me rest until tomorrow,
to ready me to follow the path your Spirit shows me
and the turns our tale may take...

Amen.

(Tonight's song is and old hymn tune from the 1860's,
rendered here acapella, all four parts in Christ Rupp's voice)

I Love To Tell The Story by Chris Rupp

I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above
Of Jesus and his glory
Of Jesus and his love

I love to tell the story
Because I know 'tis true
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do

I love to tell the story 'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love

I love to tell the story,
’Tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time
I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
The message of salvation
from God’s own holy Word.

I love to tell the story 'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love

I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest

And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song
'Twill be the old, old story
That I have loved so long

I love to tell the story 'Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love