Rev. Edward Kelley
Worship Style - Roman Catholic Mass and Sacrament of Marriage
To date on our pilgrimage, we have been to a multiple adult baptism ceremony, a funeral ceremony and now a wedding ceremony! We were honored to be invited to this celebration of the marriage of Sarah Doherty (David's cousin) and Michael Schwartz. This was a particularly special wedding as all of the U.S. military services were represented by the couple, their families and their friends. The bride and groom selected some very pertinant scriptures, Genesis 2:18-24, Psalm 128, and 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a. At the end of the service, the entire congregation was asked to participate in singing the Navy hymn, "Eternal Father Strong to Save". This was so very moving since there were many active duty attendees and some missing as they were deployed, including Sarah's brother who is currently serving in Afghanistan. It seems as if the entire congregation was emotionally offering a prayer of protection for them all.
Eternal Father: The Navy Hymn
Lyrics by Reverend William Whiting and Music by Reverend John B. Dyke
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.
Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air!
Oh Trinity of love and pow'r,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.
Worship Style - Roman Catholic Mass and Sacrament of Marriage
To date on our pilgrimage, we have been to a multiple adult baptism ceremony, a funeral ceremony and now a wedding ceremony! We were honored to be invited to this celebration of the marriage of Sarah Doherty (David's cousin) and Michael Schwartz. This was a particularly special wedding as all of the U.S. military services were represented by the couple, their families and their friends. The bride and groom selected some very pertinant scriptures, Genesis 2:18-24, Psalm 128, and 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a. At the end of the service, the entire congregation was asked to participate in singing the Navy hymn, "Eternal Father Strong to Save". This was so very moving since there were many active duty attendees and some missing as they were deployed, including Sarah's brother who is currently serving in Afghanistan. It seems as if the entire congregation was emotionally offering a prayer of protection for them all.
Eternal Father: The Navy Hymn
Lyrics by Reverend William Whiting and Music by Reverend John B. Dyke
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.
Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air!
Oh Trinity of love and pow'r,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.