Our Invitation

The sky overhead was a bright blue, as I drove to church this Easter Sunday morning.  Tiny snowflakes drifted in the air (to my surprise), and all around I saw beauty.  I thought of the snowflakes as being remnants of the dusty gates of heaven, evidence of their long being closed, but which now were open, and well-oiled by His blood.

And where we now, once again, are all invited in.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Te Deum

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.