HYMN: With Angels and Archangels

Pain, suffering, and loss often drive the creative process. While I do not recommend losing one’s child to aid the production of art, it certainly sharpened my focus last night as I tried (and failed) to go to sleep for quite some time. With very little editing, I wrote four of the stanzas of this text, which was inspired by the Proper Preface in the Communion liturgy, in which we confess we join our song with that of “angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven.” 

I wrote this in memory of my beloved Michael, who has himself joined the company of heaven.

With Angels and Archangels

In Loving Memory of Michael Alan Kornacki

1. With angels and archangels,

They gather ‘round the throne:

The company of heaven,

Whom God claims as His own.

They sing the hymn of triumph

To Christ, the Savior true,

Who died and rose victorious

That man would live anew. 

2. The saints, the dear departed,

Now rest, their labors done.

These servants, true and faithful,

Whose race in life is won,

Receive their crowns from Jesus,

For with their final breath,

They made the good confession,

Yes, even unto death. 

3. The Patriarchs and martyrs,

Apostles, prophets, kings:

They praise the Lamb forever.

Their hymn of glory rings!

They long to hear the trumpet,

To rise to life again,

To live with Christ forever

In His eternal reign. 

4. The day is surely coming.

Our Christ is coming soon!

With eager expectation,

On Him we now commune. 

This holy host of heaven

Shall join us at the rail

With Christ, our risen Savior,

Our peace in death’s dark vale. 

Δ 5. We glorify you, Father.

Lord Jesus, endless praise.

O Spirit blest, the Helper,

Be worshiped all our days. 

Like those who went before us,

We sing Christ’s victory

And pray for faith unshrinking

Until we rise, set free!

76 76 D

Temporary Tune: ELLACOMBE (LSB 906)

All Saints; Sacrament of the Altar; Funeral