HYMN: Born from Above into the Kingdom

One of the few benefits of being a pastor without a congregation to serve is that I get to hear other pastors preach from time to time. That can be a mixed blessing, because pastors often make the worst listeners when it comes to sermons. (I'm no exception. It's not so much that I critique; it's more that I find my mind wandering.) That being said, when I find a good preacher to listen to, not only is it edifying for the soul; as a writer, I find good sermons inspire me to write hymn texts. Pastor Rick Stuckwisch affects me that way, for example, so I find myself on his blog when I’m in a dry spell. 

I’ve been attending Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where God has placed the Reverend Paul Anderson. Pastor Anderson is a brilliant man and an excellent preacher. This past Sunday and then again this evening, he preached on John 3:1-17. Fed by the words and the Supper, I was inspired to write. The suggested tune is ICH WILL DICH LIEBEN, which is the tune for Lutheran Service Book hymn 694, “Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower.” 

And yes, I committed the cliche, the cardinal hymn writer's sin of rhyming "love" and "above." I do my best to avoid that when possible; we'll see if I can eliminate that in the next draft.

This is a rough first draft. As always, feedback is love.

Born from Above into the Kingdom

1. Born from above into the Kingdom;

Born from above: I’m God’s own child. 

I’m born of water and the Spirit,

No more my soul by sin defiled. 

Through faith in what I cannot see

Christ gives new life to me. 

2. Born from above in worded water,

Made new in that baptismal flood;

In bread and wine new life I’m given:

Christ’s perfect flesh and holy blood. 

These gifts the Father’s love reveal:

Christ’s blood the sign and seal. 

3. Born from above in absolution:

My pastor speaks Christ’s grace to me

Born from above in Gospel preaching:

The Word in flesh has made me free. 

I’m born again, born from above,

Through my Redeemer’s love. 

4. Lord, grant that I may come in daylight,

And may my faith be unashamed. 

Help me to make a good confession

And praise the Christ for whom I’m named. 

Now, newly born, dear Lord, I pray,

Renew me every day. 

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ICH WILL DICH LIEBEN (LSB 694)

Lent 2a; John 3:1-17; New Life in Christ