Day 211: Surrounded by Grace

 DAY 211

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic    

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Thirty-one    Sunday 11 October 2020

Surrounded by Grace

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - The Book of Common Payer: For the Sunday closest to 12 October.

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound – that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.

2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved!

How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

3. The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

4. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease;

I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

5. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.

6. Thru many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.

Verses 1-6 by John Newton (1725-1807)

verse 7 by John Rees (1828-1900)

JOHN NEWTON. Clerk.

Once an infidel and libertine a servant of slaves in Africa

was by the rich mercy of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

preserved, restored, pardoned and appointed to preach

the faith he had long laboured to destroy.

Epitaph on the gravestone of John Newton

St. Peter and St. Paul Churchyard, Olney, England 

John Newton wrote his own epitaph.

Reflective question: Which of these verses speaks to you in your life just now? Why?

Reflective Scripture: Ephesians 2:5 – “… it is by grace you have been saved.”

Reflective hymn: “Amazing Grace” see above.