Teach us to wait, Lord

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait 

Like the disciples seeking their fate

After Ascension, as Jesus said; 

Wait for the Spirit, wait to be led.

 

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait - 

Not get discouraged, not hesitate; 

But fix our hearts on seeking God's will,

Prayerful and patient, yielded and still.

 

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait,

Knowing the Sprit's power is great. 

Pentecost, peril, protest, or praise; 

Lord, make us ready for coming days.

 

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait,

To seek the pathway narrow and straight

So that not our will but yours be done; 

Lord, make us ready. Lord, make us one. 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2024, 

              after Acts 1:15-17, 21-26,

MUSIC: Tune ADELAIDE, George C. Stebbins, 1907.

 

 

Trying to make hymn verse out of this passage would be a bit like trying to set meeting minutes to music. Waiting as a practice necessary for the disciples at this point offers a way in to an instruction the church can sing.

Two Ascension hymns

When Jesus knew his time had come, his followers he drew near

And gave this word to comfort them and drive away their last fear.

 

“The Holy Spirit’s guiding power will surely come upon you,

And to the world my Word you’ll take; my witness lives within you.”

 

When this he said, they watched, and lo! their Lord was lifted upward!

In holy cloud he was caught up and no more was his voice heard.

 

While this their eyes were following with wonder and amazement,

Two bright-robed men had drawn nearby to bear a witness heaven-sent: 

 

“Why do you stand here looking up? This Jesus you have witnessed

Will yet return in this same way, all sanctified and heaven-blessed.”

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021, after Acts 1:1-11

MUSIC: Suggested tune ST. COLUMBA, Irish melody.

See our Jesus now ascending, heaven-bound for us to plead! 

Now, his earthly work completed, he for us will intercede

For our pains and for our sufferings, for our want and daily need.

 

See his body lifted upward, wounded hands and feet and side!

Every scar is now exalted, every wound is sanctified.

Crucified and then arisen, now forever glorified!

 

His disciples upward gazing, mute in wonder at the sight;

Now their Friend and true Companion from their side has taken flight.

Now his call is their commission as he takes to holy height.

 

Praise to God the great Creator; praise to God, redeeming Son;

Praise to God, sustaining Spirit, one in three and three in one.

So it was in the beginning, and shall be ‘til time is done.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021, after Luke 24:36-53.

MUSIC: Suggested tune WESTMINSTER ABBEY, Henry Purcell, 1680; adapt. Ernest Hawkins, 1843.

See our Jesus now ascending

See our Jesus now ascending, heaven-bound for us to plead! 

Now, his earthly work completed, he for us will intercede

For our pains and for our sufferings, for our want and daily need.

 

See his body lifted upward, wounded hands and feet and side!

Every scar is now exalted, every wound is sanctified.

Crucified and then arisen, now forever glorified!

 

His disciples upward gazing, mute in wonder at the sight;

Now their Friend and true Companion from their side has taken flight.

Now his call is their commission as he takes to holy height.

 

Praise to God the great Creator; praise to God, redeeming Son;

Praise to God, sustaining Spirit, one in three and three in one.

So it was in the beginning, and shall be ‘til time is done.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021, after Luke 24:36-53.

MUSIC: Suggested tune WESTMINSTER ABBEY, Henry Purcell, 1680; adapt. Ernest Hawkins, 1843.

 

 

So apparently, I have a thing for overlooked occasions on the liturgical calendar. After the somewhat longer struggle to complete the previous entry, “When Jesus knew his time had come,” this text fell together ridiculously fast while preparing to give a devotional on “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” as paired with WESTMINSTER ABBEY in Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal. If only either one had come together early enough to get into the recording process for the week’s service…

When Jesus knew his time had come

When Jesus knew his time had come, his followers he drew near

And gave this word to comfort them and drive away their last fear.

 

“The Holy Spirit’s guiding power will surely come upon you,

And to the world my Word you’ll take; my witness lives within you.”

 

When this he said, they watched, and lo! their Lord was lifted upward!

In holy cloud he was caught up and no more was his voice heard.

 

While this their eyes were following with wonder and amazement,

Two bright-robed men had drawn nearby to bear a witness heaven-sent: 

 

“Why do you stand here looking up? This Jesus you have witnessed

Will yet return in this same way, all sanctified and heaven-blessed.”

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2021, after Acts 1:1-11

MUSIC: Suggested tune ST. COLUMBA, Irish melody.

 

 

So Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal contains a section of hymns labeled “Ascension and Reign.” In truth, though, only one of the hymns contained therein is really about the Ascension itself. Of course that was going to provoke a hymn for Ascension.