John 17 
[Joh 17:3] Forever With The Lord
“Forever with the Lord!”
Amen, so let it be!
Life from His death is in that word
’Tis immortality.
Here in the body pent,
Absent from Him I roam,
Yet nightly pitch my moving tent
A day’s march nearer homeMy Father’s house on high,
Home of my soul, how near
At times to faith’s foreseeing eye
Thy golden gates appear!
Ah! then my spirit faints
To reach the land I love,
The bright inheritance of saints,
Jerusalem above.Yet clouds will intervene,
And all my prospect flies;
Like Noah’s dove, I flit between
Rough seas and stormy skies.
Anon the clouds depart,
The winds and waters cease,
While sweetly o’er my gladdened heart
Expands the bow of peace.I hear at morn and even,
At noon and midnight hour,
The choral harmonies of Heaven
Earth’s Babel tongues o’erpower;
Then, then I feel that He,
Remembered or forgot,
The Lord, is never far from me,
Though I perceive Him not.“Forever with the Lord!”
Forever in His will,
The promise of that faithful word,
Lord, here in me fulfill.
With You at my right hand,
Then I shall never fail;
Uphold me, Lord, and I shall stand,
Through grace I will prevail.So when my latest breath
Breaks through the veil of pain,
By death I shall escape from death,
And life eternal gain.
That resurrection word,
That shout of victory:
Once more, “Forever with the Lord!”
Amen, so let it be!Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:3] Thou True And Only God
Thou, true and only God, lead’st forth
Th’immortal armies of the sky;
Thou laugh’st to scorn the gods of earth,
Thou thunderest, and amazed they fly.With downcast eye th’angelic choir
Appear before Thy awful face;
Trembling they strike the golden lyre,
And through Heav’n’s vault resound Thy praise,In earth, in Heaven, in all Thou art;
The conscious creature feels Thy nod,
Whose forming hand on every part
Impressed the image of its God.Thine, Lord, is wisdom, Thine alone;
Justice and truth before Thee stand;
Yet, nearer to Thy sacred throne,
Mercy withholds Thy lifted hand.Each evening shows Thy tender love,
Each rising morn Thy plenteous grace
Thy wakened wrath doth slowly move,
Thy willing mercy flies apace.To Thy benign indulgent care,
Father, this light, this breath we owe;
And all we have, and all we are,
From Thee, great Source of being, flow.Parent of good, Thy bounteous hand
Incessant blessings down distils,
And all in air, or sea, or land,
With plenteous food and gladness fills.All things in Thee live, move, and are,
Thy power infused doth all sustain;
E’en those Thy daily favors share
Who thankless spurn Thy easy reign.Thy sun Thou bidd’st his genial ray
Alike on all impartial pour;
To all, who hate or bless Thy sway,
Thou bidd’st descend the fruitful shower.Yet, while at length who scorned Thy might
Shall feel Thee a consuming fire,
How sweet the joys, the crown how bright,
Of those who to Thy love aspire!All creatures, praise th’eternal Name!
Ye hosts that to His court belong,
Cherubic choirs, seraphic flames,
Awake the everlasting song!Thrice Holy! Thine the kingdom is,
The power omnipotent is Thine,
And when created nature dies,
Thy never-ceasing glories shine.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:3] We Believe In One True God
We believe in one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Ever present help in need, praised by all the heavenly host;
By Whose mighty power alone all is made and wrought and done.We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Mary’s Son,
Who descended from His throne and for us salvation won;
By Whose cross and death are we rescued from sin’s misery.We confess the Holy Ghost, who from both forever proceeds;
Who upholds and comforts us in all trials, fears and needs.
Blessed and Holy Trinity, praise forever be to Thee!Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:3] In One True God We All Believe
In one true God we all believe,
And to His Name all glory give,
Creator of all things is He
In the Heav’n, the earth, the sea.We all believe in God’s own Son,
Our Lord, the sole begotten One;
And by the Holy Ghost the same
Of a virgin man became.By Pontius Pilate crucified,
He suffered on the tree and died;
To show of Satan’s reign the end,
He did into hell descend.The same Lord Christ of Nazareth
Who for all sinners tasted death
The third day after He had died
Rose with body glorified.In full accord with God’s own Word
This holy body of our Lord,
Although in death’s firm grasp it be,
Never would corruption see.He then ascended into Heaven,
Where endless power to Him was given;
And there for us in all our needs
Graciously He intercedes.From thence He’ll come, as once He said
To judge the living and the dead.
O righteous Judge, our Savior, come,
Take us to our heavenly home!We all confess the Holy Ghost,
Who guides the Church, a chosen host,
And binds the saints in purest love
Here on earth and there above.And to this truth we also cleave,
That we forgiveness do receive,
True peace and joy and comfort sweet,
Daily from the Paraclete.From death our bodies shall arise
To endless life beyond the skies;
By grace through Jesus we shall rest
There in Heaven, forever blest.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:11] Holy Father, Great Creator
Holy Father, great Creator,
Source of mercy, love and peace,
Look upon the Mediator,
Clothe us with His righteousness;
Heav’nly Father, heav’nly Father,
Through the Savior hear and bless!Holy Jesus, Lord of glory,
Whom angelic hosts proclaim,
While we hear Thy wondrous story,
Meet and worship in Thy Name,
Dear Redeemer, dear Redeemer,
In our hearts Thy peace proclaim.Holy Spirit, Sanctifier,
Come with unction from above,
Raise our hearts to raptures higher,
Fill them with the Savior’s love.
Source of comfort, source of comfort,
Cheer us with the Savior’s love.God the Lord, through every nation
Let Thy wondrous mercies shine,
In the song of Thy salvation
Every tongue and race combine,
Great Jehovah, great Jehovah,
Form our hearts and make them Thine.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:11] Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Thy Word
Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word;
Curb those who fain by craft and sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Thy Son
And set at naught all He hath done.Lord Jesus Christ, Thy pow’r make known,
For Thou art Lord of lords alone;
Defend Thy Christendom that we
May evermore sing praise to Thee.O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth.
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:11] Lord, Who The Night You Were Betrayed
Lord, who the night You were betrayed did pray
That all Your Church might be forever one;
Help us at every Eucharist to say
With willing heart and soul, “Your will be done.”
That we may all one bread, one body be
Through this, Your sacrament of unity.For all Your Church on earth, we intercede;
Lord, make our sad divisions soon to cease;
Draw us all closer, each to each, we plead,
By drawing all to You, O Prince of Peace;
So may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.And hear our prayer for wanderers from Your fold;
Restore them, too, Good Shepherd of the sheep,
Back to the faith your saints confessed of old,
And to the Church still pledged that faith to keep.
Soon may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
May we be one with all your Church above—
One with Your saints in one unbroken peace,
One as Your bride in one unbounded love;
More blessèd still, in peace and love to be
One with the Trinity in unity.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:11] Son Of God, Eternal Savior
Son of God, eternal Savior,
Source of life and truth and grace,
Son of Man, whose birth incarnate
Hallows all our human race,
Thou, our Head Who, throned in glory,
For Thine own dost ever plead,
Fill us with Thy love and pity;
Heal our wrongs, and help our need.Bind us all as one together
In Thy Church’s sacred fold,
Weak and healthy, poor and wealthy,
Sad and joyful, young and old.
Is there want, or pain, or sorrow?
Make us all the burden share.
Are there spirits crushed and broken?
Teach us, Lord, to soothe their care.As Thou, Lord, hast lived for others,
So may we for others live;
Freely have Thy gifts been granted,
Freely may Thy servants give.
Thine the gold and Thine the silver,
Thine the wealth of land and sea,
We but stewards of Thy bounty,
Held in solemn trust for Thee.Come, O Christ, and reign among us,
King of love, and Prince of peace,
Hush the storm of strife and passion,
Bid its cruel discords cease:
By Thy patient years of toiling,
By Thy silent hours of pain,
Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure,
Shame our selfish greed of gain.Son of God, eternal Savior,
Source of life and truth and grace,
Son of Man, whose birth incarnate
Hallows all our human race,
Thou Who prayedst, Thou Who willest,
That Thy people should be one,
Grant, O Grant our hope’s fruition:
Here on earth Thy will be done.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:17] O Holy Bible
Thou “Word Incarnate,” “truth so divine,”
Thou dost illumine each path of mine.
Never a sorrow can e’er abide,
While in thy refuge in safety I hide.Refrain
O Holy Bible, truth so divine,
Treasure from Heaven,
I know thou art mine.Thou “Bread of Heaven,” sent from above,
“Gift of the Father,” “message of love.”
“Stream by the wayside,” sparkling and clear,
“Fountains of cleansing,” in thee do appear.Refrain
Thou art my “Wisdom,” “Treasure” complete,
“Sweeter than honey,” “lamp to my feet.”
Thou art my “Counsel,” “Word of the Lord,”
Keeping thy precepts brings blessèd reward.Refrain
Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:21] What Time The Evening Shadows Fall
What time the evening shadows fall
Around the Church on earth,
When darker forms of doubt appall,
And new false lights have birth;
Then closer should her faithful band
For truth together hold,
Hell’s last devices to withstand,
And safely guard her fold.O Father, in that hour of fear,
Thy Church on earth do keep,
Thine altar to the last to rear,
And feed Thy fainting sheep;
May she the holy truths attest
Apostles taught of yore,
Nor quit the faith by saints confessed,
Though tempted ne’er so sore.O Christ, who for Thy flock didst pray
That all might be as one,
Unite us all ere fades the day,
Thou sole begotten Son;
The East, the West, together bind
In love’s unbroken chain;
Give each one hope, one heart, one mind,
One glory, and one gain.O Spirit, Lord of light and life,
The Church with strength renew,
Compose the angry voice of strife,
All jealousies subdue;
Do Thou in ever quickening streams
Upon Thy saints descend,
And warm them with reviving beams,
And guide them to the end.Great Three in One, great One in Three,
Our hymns of prayer receive,
And teach us all from sin to flee,
And live as we believe;
So, pure in faith, our thoughts and speech,
And acts that faith shall own;
So shall we to Thy presence reach,
And know as we are known.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] Christian Hearts, In Love United
Christian hearts, in love united,
Seek alone in Jesus rest;
Has He not your love excited?
Then let love inspire each breast;
Members on our Head depending
Lights reflecting Him, our Sun,
Brethren His commands attending,
We in Him, our Lord, are one.Come, then, come, O flock of Jesus,
Covenant with Him anew;
Unto Him Who conquered for us,
Pledge we love and service true;
And should our love’s union holy
Firmly linked no more remain,
Wait ye at His footstool lowly,
Till He draw it close again.Grant, Lord, that with Thy direction,
“Love each other,” we comply,
Aiming with unfeigned affection
Thy love to exemplify;
Let our mutual love be glowing,
Thus will all men plainly see,
That we, as on one stem growing,
Living branches are in Thee.O that such may be our union,
As Thine with the Father is,
And not one of our communion
E’er forsake the path of bliss;
May our light ’fore men with brightness,
From Thy light reflected, shine;
Thus the world will bear us witness,
That we, Lord, are truly Thine.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] No Form Of Human Framing
No form of human framing, no bond of outward might,
Can bind Thy Church together, Lord, and all her flocks unite;
But, Jesus, Thou hast told us how unity must be:
Thou art with God the Father one, and we are one in Thee.The mind that is in Jesus will guide us into truth,
The humble, open, joyful mind of ever-learning youth;
The heart that is in Jesus will lead us out of strife,
The giving and forgiving heart that follows love in life.Wherever men adore Thee, our souls with them would kneel;
Wherever men implore Thy help, their trouble we would feel;
And where men do Thy service, though knowing not Thy sign,
Our hand is with them in good work, for they are also Thine.Forgive us, Lord, the folly that quarrels with Thy friends,
And draw us near to Thy heart, where every discord ends;
Thou art the crown of manhood, and Thou of God the Son;
O Master of our many lives, in Thee our life is one.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] O God Of Love, To Thee We Bow
O God of love, to Thee we bow,
And pray for these before Thee now,
That, closely knit in holy vow,
They may be in Thee one.When days are filled with pure delight,
When paths are plain and skies are bright,
Walking by faith and not by sight,
May they be in Thee one.When stormy winds fulfill Thy will,
And all their good seems turned to ill,
Then, trusting in Thee completely, still
May they be in Thee one.Whate’er in life shall be their share
Of quickening joy or burdening care,
In power to do and grace to bear,
May they be in Thee one.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] Thou God Of All, Whose Spirit Moves
Thou God of all, whose spirit moves
From pole to silent pole,
Whose purpose binds the starry spheres
In one stupendous whole,
Whose life, like light, is freely poured
On all beneath the sun,
To Thee we lift our hearts, and pray
That Thou wilt make us one.One in the patient company
Of those who heed Thy will,
And steadfastly pursue the way
Of Thy commandments still;
One in the holy fellowship
Of those who challenge wrong,
And lift the spirit’s sword to shield
The weak against the strong.One in the truth that makes men free,
The faith that makes men brave;
One in the love that suffers long
To seek, and serve, and save;
One in the vision of Thy peace,
The kingdom yet to be,
When Thou shalt be the God of all,
And all be one in Thee.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] Whom Oceans Part, O Lord, Unite
Whom oceans part, O Lord, unite
To love Thy Name and seek Thy light;
Though from each other far we be,
Let none, O Christ, be far from Thee.On many a distant island shore
Still let men see Heav’n’s opened door;
’Mid silent hills, beneath fresh skies,
Let Bethel’s shining ladder rise.Our sons and daughters guide in truth;
Take for Thyself the flower of youth;
Afar from home, through gain or loss,
Keep them true hearted to Thy cross.Whom oceans part, O Lord, unite—
One commonwealth for God and right;
A ransomed people, strong and free,
To bring the whole wide world to Thee!Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] Eternal Ruler Of The Ceaseless Round
Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round
Of circling planets singing on their way,
Guide of the nations from the night profound
Into the glory of the perfect day,
Rule in our hearts, that we may ever be
Guided and strengthened and upheld by Thee.We are of Thee, the children of Thy love,
The brothers of Thy well belovèd Son;
Descend, O Holy Spirit, like a dove
Into our hearts, that we may be as one;
As one with Thee, to Whom we ever tend;
As one with Him our Brother and our Friend.We would be one in hatred of all wrong,
One in our love of all things sweet and fair;
One with the joy that breaketh into song,
One with the grief that trembleth into prayer,
One in the power that makes Thy children free
To follow truth, and thus to follow Thee.O clothe us with Thy heavenly armor, Lord,
Thy trusty shield, Thy sword of love divine;
Our inspiration be Thy constant Word;
We ask no victories that are not Thine;
Give or withhold, let pain or pleasure be,
Enough to know that we are serving Thee.Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] Father Of All, From Land And Sea
Father of all, from land and sea
The nations sing, “Thine, Lord, are we,
Countless in number, but in Thee
May we be one.”O Son of God, whose love so free
For men did make Thee Man to be,
United to our God in Thee
May we be one.Thou, Lord didst once for all atone;
Thee may both Jew and Gentile own
Of their two walls the Corner Stone,
Making them one.In Thee we are God’s Israel,
Thou art the world’s Emmanuel,
In Thee the saints forever dwell,
Millions but one.Thou art the Fountain of all good,
Cleansing with Thy most precious blood,
And feeding us with angels’ food,
Making us one.Join high and low, join young and old
In love that never waxes cold;
Under one Shepherd, in one fold,
Make us all one.O Spirit blest, who from above,
Cam’st gently gliding like a dove
Calm all our strife, give faith and love;
O make us one.O Trinity in Unity,
One only God, in Persons Three,
Dwell ever in our hearts; like Thee
May we be one.So, when the world shall pass away,
May we awake with joy and say,
“Now in the bliss of endless day
We all are one.”Play source: Cyberhymnal - [Joh 17:22] Thou, Who At Thy First Eucharist Didst Pray
Thou, who at Thy first Eucharist didst pray
That all Thy Church might be forever one,
Grant us that ev’ry Eucharist to say
With longing heart and soul, “Thy will be done.”
O may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.For all Thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
Make Thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
Draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
By drawing all to Thee, O Prince of Peace;
Thus may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.We pray Thee too for wand’rers from Thy fold;
O bring them back, good Shepherd of the sheep,
Back to the faith which saints believed of old,
Back to the Church which still that faith doth keep;
Soon may we all one bread, one body be,
Through this blest sacrament of unity.So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
May we be one with all Thy Church above,
One with Thy saints in one unbroken peace,
One with Thy saints in one unbounded love;
More blessèd still, in peace and love to be
One with the Trinity in Unity.source: Cyberhymnal
