Hymns to Help Us Through – #53 – “Abide with Me”...

This might be the last “Hymns to Help Us Through” video to be recorded at Bethany House. As some of you know, I have been ‘silent’ on social media because of the grief and deep sense of loss I’m going through as we end the life of Saints Mary and Martha Church. As the months have dwindled to weeks and the weeks to days, our time together as MAMA Church is flying away. So, today I thought I should make this (perhaps) last recording at Bethany House.

I chose this beloved hymn because of the comfort it gives me (both in terms of its words and music). Until facing the closing of our beloved parish, I never knew how much sadness I could experience. I have sat in darkness for two months, and this is the first recording I’ve attempted in that time. I pray it will comfort and bless you…and that it will be the beginning of a new dawn in my life.

“Abide with Me”

Tune: Eventide

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Amen.

Blessings! :)

Father Todd