Senior Women’s Luncheon

Verse 1

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Verse 2

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.

You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same; and he must win the battle.

Verse 3

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

Verse 4

That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!

Author: Martin Luther (1529)

Verse 1

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Verse 2

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim, falling down before Thee, which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Verse 3

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee, perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity.

Verse 4

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea;

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Author: Reginald Heber (1826)

Verse 1

This is my Father's world, And to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-- His hand the wonders wrought.

Verse 2

This is my Father's world: The birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

Verse 3

This is my Father's world: O let me ne'er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!

Author: Maltbie D. Babcock (1901)

Verse 1

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;

be Thou my best thought in the day and the night, both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Verse 2

Be Thou my Wisdom, be Thou my true Word; be Thou ever with me and I with Thee, Lord;

be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son, be Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Verse 3

Be Thou my Breastplate, my Sword for the fight; be Thou my whole Armor, be Thou my true Might;

be Thou my soul’s Shelter, be Thou my strong Tow’r, O raise Thou me heav’nward, great Pow’r of my pow’r.

Verse 4

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, be Thou mine inheritance, now and always;

be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart, O High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Verse 5

High King of heaven, Thou heaven's bright Sun, O grant me its joys, after vict'ry is won;

Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be Thou my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Verse 1

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Verse 2

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.

Change and decay in all around I see. O thou who changest not, abide with me.

Verse 3

I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who like thyself my guide and strength can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

Verse 4

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless, ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Verse 5

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes. Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Author: Henry Francis Lyte (1847)

Verse 1

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God and man the Son,

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

Verse 2

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, robed in the blooming garb of spring:

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Verse 3

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, and all the twinkling starry host:

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast.

Verse 4

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be thine.

Verse 1

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be,

nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Verse 2

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Verse 3

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;

angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Verse 4

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;

so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Verse 5

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be,

nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Author: Sarah Flower Adams (1841)

Verse 1

Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

Verse 2

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;

how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

Verse 3

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come:

'tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

Verse 4

The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;

he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

Verse 5

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease:

I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

Verse 6

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;

but God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.

Author: John Newton (1779)

Verse 1

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Verse 2

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!

Verse 3

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Author: Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1855)