Last week there was a baptism at my church. It doesn’t actually happen that often, and this one was quite moving. I suppose for some, that is always the case, but what made this so meaningful to me was the gratitude expressed by my friend as she spoke about the community she was being baptized into. It seemed that somehow her connections with various people in the congregation had opened up a space to find God in a way that was significant for her. The value of our communities has been a recurring theme for me as I look at all these hymns this year, and as I sat through this baptismal service, it was once again reinforced. This sacred rite took on new meaning for me as I received the gift of my friend’s gratitude. I am thankful for that.

It is fitting that this hymn came up for this week because it speaks of a kind of community that supports our spiritual lives. It speaks of fellowship – the kind that goes beyond socializing to something deeper and life affirming. Life supporting.

Bless’d be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

What I like about these words is the commitment to sharing in the experiences of life together. Pouring out our fears, our hopes, our aims, our cares. The flowing of a sympathetic tear is something I both see and experience often in my community. It may seem a small thing, but to know someone else will cry with you, see your pain and your joy, is a powerful support. And a powerful draw to remain a part of the community. The author of these words, John Fawcett (1740-1817), apparently had the experience of being compelled to stay with his congregation by the love and tears of the people – after he had given his farewell sermon and loaded his carts to move to a new post! Community support can mean everything to us amidst lives that are chaotic, stressful, challenging, pain filled, joyful, happy and exciting. Whatever we go through, to have a space where we share our joys and concerns in a spiritual manner is a gift. Whatever we believe; wherever we can find it, bless’d be the tie that binds.

For a very special reason, I have chosen the hymn myself this week. Fifty years ago on Sunday, this hymn was sung at a wedding. It was the day my parents were married. Something to celebrate. As I look around my world, I notice that marriages seem as likely to fail as succeed, and I think it is worth noting the ones that stand the test of time.   I’m not sure why some succeed and some don’t. Many, many reasons I’m sure, but this hymn’s text acknowledges the challenges of this kind of relationship and this kind of commitment by offering a prayer for it; the need for something beyond our humanness to ensure endurance.

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne,
that theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
whom thou in sacred vow dost join in one.

O perfect Life, be thou their full assurance
of tender charity and steadfast faith,
of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
with childlike trust that fears no pain or death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife;
grant them the vision of the glorious morrow
that will reveal eternal love and life.

These words were written by Dorothy F. Blomfield in 1883 for her sister’s wedding. I like that they reflect on the idea that this relationship – this life partnership – can help us through the sorrows and strife to be found in our lives. I like that the community gathered at the wedding participates in asking for the security of the sacred vow. This joining of individual commitment and communal support is probably a really important ingredient of a successful relationship. Perhaps we underestimate that, in our busy lives and in a time when diminished connections to any community are prevalent.

As I read these words I am very conscious of those to whom it doesn’t seem to apply. Those who are not married or, perhaps, differently married than what a hymn might imply. Those who are single, by choice or not. Those who are separated, estranged or divorced from the one they made that sacred vow with. Personally, I choose to view these words in a broader sense than just the traditional description of a marriage. I think there are many beautiful relationships to be found that can, and should be supported by our communities. Many that can rely on the sacred nature of commitment and love to carry those involved through their entire lives. I value these kinds of deep, caring relationships and friendships, and wish them for everyone.

I am thankful that my parents chose to foster something that endured the years. I hope the experience of observing a long, successful marriage reminds me of the value to be found in committing to something or someone this deeply. But I also hope that this foundation provides a space of compassion for those who have lost this thing that we celebrate. It is indeed a privilege to have a life partner. It is not always easy to find or keep one. We celebrate those who succeed – but let us also carry those who don’t.

It is no secret that Charles Wesley wrote many hymns. But until I started looking into this particular one, I had no idea how many. It is reported that he wrote 6500 hymns in his lifetime. By my calculations, he would have had to write at least 80 hymns a year throughout his 81 years of life. Now, granted, some of them were probably less good than others, but still, he has earned the title of the “Bard of Methodism” by the fact that 623 of the 770 hymns in the Wesleyan Hymn Book were his. And let’s not forget that he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1995! Quite an accomplishment. Quite a legacy.

This hymn is considered by many to be one of his best. I must admit that I hadn’t heard or sung it in a long time, but it is indeed very familiar. Certainly I remember singing it as a child. It was suggested to me by a friend who relates the story of learning to conduct it as a course requirement at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. It may be her only conducting skill, but she claims she can fill in, in a pinch, on this one if needed!

The story goes that Wesley wrote these words in 1738 to celebrate his conversion experience.

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He was a writer that used the hymn form to express his feelings on all sorts of experiences. Christian festivals, doctrine, personal experiences, natural disasters, historical events, Scripture. Everything. And by the vast number of hymns he wrote, he obviously felt he had much to say. I suppose self expression is what music is about, and obviously musicians and lyricists still do that today, but I like that it’s been going on forever, this need to speak through song. This desire to write and write and write.  What really interests me, however, is that he chose hymns to express himself.  Hymn writers have an ability to share what is deep within and then they provide a space for others to take part in the experience. Because singing hymns is a participatory act. Writing hymns is about getting others involved with the text and music – there is an underlying assumption that they will not just be read or listened to. We are all invited to engage.

I love that we sing many of these hymns together. I love having a glimpse of someone’s thoughts and feelings, whether I agree with or even understand every word. I love having the opportunity to participate. So, thank you Charles Wesley – and many others – for writing the songs we sing. It is an amazing act of love to have done so, whatever the motivation. To share these words and tunes with the generations is a gift that I am grateful for.

I am going to break with my usual pattern of posting on Saturdays for this week. I found myself with suggestions for both Good Friday and Easter, and thought I’d give them to you on Good Friday and Easter. Partly because this makes sense, and partly out of respect for those who observe these days as part of their tradition and faith.

This spiritual was first published in 1899, but is thought to predate the American Civil war – another slave song. It is interesting to note that it is the first spiritual to be included in a major American hymnal (Episcopal Church Hymnal, 1940), and it has remained a staple in the church ever since, particularly sung on Good Friday.

The words are haunting. The tune is haunting. It brings to our minds a haunting event. Yes, it tells of the death of Christ on the cross, but what else were the slaves singing about? I kind of think it requires me to think about the many “crucifixions” that happen every day around our world, both near and far. Do I tremble when others are sacrificed? Do I consider being present when it happens? What role do I play in others’ suffering? And so I leave it with you to consider.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?