Do you know what hymn that line is from?Hymns have been such a strong, meaningful part of my heritage. A day doesn't go by that I don't listen to or ponder the lyrics to a hymn. The words coming to mind at a certain moment or during a prayer. Yesterday I had the privilege to sing in a memorial service and it really was an honor. I didn't even know the man, the family had picked the songs. The church picked me. How strange I felt, that I didn't know the family. That has happened many times, weddings and funerals, I don't know why yesterday felt different. Maybe because I was alone up there and the songs were so dear to me and I sang no less than 4, all by my little self, one with a trumpet.
I didn't think there was a hymn in our hymn book that I didn't know, I was wrong. I have many hymnals, several German ones in fact. My great grandfather was a German Baptist preacher, Immanuel Bibelheimer. My paternal grandfather was an American Baptist pastor in World War II and then here in Tempe and in Oregon he had churches, his name was Clayton Shepherd. Grandma Clyttie was his organist. Both sides of the family love the hymns and music.
But Beyond the Sunset was a new one, written before my parents were born and still in the church hymnal. We ended the service all singing that sweet song, with the son-in-law playing the trumpet. What a joyous time of celebration of a life well lived, enjoying a glorious dawning with His saviour, evermore.
Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning
When with our Savior heav'n is begun
Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawning
Beyond the sunset, when day is done
Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy
O day of gladness O day unending
Beyond the sunset. eternal joy!
Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion
With our dear loved ones, who've gone before
In that fair homeland, we'll know no departing
Beyond the sunset, for evermore!
When with our Savior heav'n is begun
Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawning
Beyond the sunset, when day is done
Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy
O day of gladness O day unending
Beyond the sunset. eternal joy!
Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion
With our dear loved ones, who've gone before
In that fair homeland, we'll know no departing
Beyond the sunset, for evermore!
(Praise to the Lord, the Almighty is the hymn 'ponder anew' is from. One of my all-time favorites. Ponder the words some time.)
