Just one day left in September, Lord,
and once October’s here there’ll be no denying
that summertime has passed and fall’s upon us…
I know warm days are still ahead
but even when they come they like to tease,
reminding me that summer’s gone
and won’t be back ’til winter’s passed
and spring restores my hope…
Fall’s beauty won’t escape me, Lord,
and winter’s charms will, now and then,
catch my eye, turn my head
and even touch my heart
but it’s the season on the wane
wherein your presence melts my soul
and warms my spirit with your grace…
So, open me, I pray tonight, open me
to all the ways your autumn glory
colors my perception
of how you come to meet me
and make your home within me
as the seasons slowly change…
Open me to all the many ways
you reveal yourself,
uncovering and disclosing in my heart
the mystery of your mercy,
the beauty of your presence
and the peace for which I long
the whole year ’round…
Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…
Tonight’s song is a simple, beautiful arrangement
of Pete Seeger’s classic setting of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to dieA time to plant, a time to reapA time to kill, a time to healA time to laugh, a time to weep
A time to build up, a time to break downA time to dance, a time to mournA time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
A time of love, a time of hateA time of war, a time of peaceA time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
A time to gain, a time to loseA time to rend, a time to sewA time for love, a time for hateA time for peace, I swear it’s not too late
