Blessed Sabbath

Sundays are lovely days here in Oxford.  We always greet the sister missionaries downstairs in the parking lot at 8:30.  SK drives us all to church, where we attend the 2nd Ward's sacrament meeting, followed by 1st Ward's sacrament meeting, and then 1st Ward's Sunday School or Priesthood/Relief Society.  Today was fast Sunday, so that meant Testimony Meeting. 

The testimonies in both wards were varied and spiritual.  I very much enjoyed all of them.  To begin the testimony portion of the 2nd Ward meeting, the Bishop stood, and talked about the Savior.  He read aloud the words to the sacrament hymn (Reverently and Meekly Now) we had sung shortly before, pointing out that it is the only sacrament hymn from the Savior's point of view:

  1. 1. Rev'rently and meekly now,
    Let thy head most humbly bow.
    Think of me, thou ransomed one;
    Think what I for thee have done.
    With my blood that dripped like rain,
    Sweat in agony of pain,
    With my body on the tree
    I have ransomed even thee.
  2. 2. In this bread now blest for thee,
    Emblem of my body see;
    In this water or this wine,
    Emblem of my blood divine.
    Oh, remember what was done
    That the sinner might be won.
    On the cross of Calvary
    I have suffered death for thee.
  3. 3. Bid thine heart all strife to cease;
    With thy brethren be at peace.
    Oh, forgive as thou wouldst be
    E'en forgiven now by me.
    In the solemn faith of prayer
    Cast upon me all thy care,
    And my Spirit's grace shall be
    Like a fountain unto thee.
  4. 4. At the throne I intercede;
    For thee ever do I plead.
    I have loved thee as thy friend,
    With a love that cannot end.
    Be obedient, I implore,
    Prayerful, watchful evermore,
    And be constant unto me,
    That thy Savior I may be.
  5. Text: Joseph L. Townsend, 1849-1942
    Music: Ebenezer Beesley, 1840-1906
The words penetrated my heart!  We had just barely sung them, but when he read them I was very much moved by their message.  I love the end of the 3rd verse, the Savior tells us that His grace shall be "like a fountain unto thee."  The music sounds like a fountain at that point in the song, and it is always so pretty to me, but today the power of the words was much more than pretty.  

Bishop Bateman is tall and slim and always looks so well-dressed, not ostentation nor "fashionable" but just smart.  He has a very neat short beard and short hair.  I'm guessing he is in his mid 40's but his beard is streaked with gray - which adds to his look of authority.  

The messages in all of the meetings went along like that, and before we knew it, the 3 hours were over and we were hurrying back to the flat to get the shepherd's pies in the oven.  Soon we had 9 YSAs there.  

The apartment is relatively small and usually silent except for conversations between SK and me.  But those young people sweep in and there is joyful noise, laughter, even some singing and a lot of talking.  The table was set, the glasses filled with water, food put on the table, prayer was said, and everyone dug in. It was a small enough group to be a part of....to listen and to speak...and to laugh.  It was thoroughly enjoyable.  

I know they have hard times, but when they are here together, they strengthen each other.  The speak about the gospel and they console each other through difficult circumstances.  I love that they help each other that way.  The group consists of mostly returned missionaries, who provide strong leadership.

As usual, there seems to be no way of knowing whether we will have 20 or 9.  I made enough for 20, and the 9 - -pleased there was plenty, were happy to have seconds.  We will still have enough to serve the young missionaries for lunch on Wednesday.  That's a good thing.

Sister Mattos will be in London by then with a new mission assignment and a new companion.  Sister Porter, and Elders Tshendabo and Hill will stay another six weeks in this fair corner of the vineyard.  I'm so happy they will be here longer.  We have come to love all four and will miss Sister Mattos.

Since everyone has left, we have had a quiet evening as daylight turned to the dark of night at 5:30 p.m.  We have been studying and we watched the newest installment of The Book of Mormon videos.  We are enjoying looking forward to those each week.

Comments

melissa said…
I love that hymn!! And I never noticed the music sounding like a fountain. What an observation! It sounds like a beautiful fast Sunday.
November 5, 2019 at 1:46 AM
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