Did the ALC become the ELCA

[Music4Hym777]

Did the American Lutheran Church become the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or is there both? My church was an ALC project but we are an ELCA church now, so I am very confused (Recht, don't I tend to be a lot?)

[Phoebe]

I think they did. I'm pretty sure I was ALC or LCA or something. In looking at the yellow pages, I've noticed that some Lutheran churches are in neither ELCA or LCMS categories. Now I'm confused.

[theologia crucis]

If my memory is working, there were a bunch of smaller Lutheran churches around the US, such as the ALC, the LCA, the AELC (I think), and several smaller ones, and they all merged in 1988 to form the ELCA. Of course, the LCMS, WELS, and ELS were all around before '88, too. I would bet the ELCA website would have a list of all who joined.

Today, the four biggest Lutheran bodies in the US are the ELCA, the LCMS, the WELS, and the ELS.

There are also a few other smaller bodies, such as the Church of the Lutheran Confessions, the Lutheran Brethern, etc...

L - Lutheran
A - America/American
C - Church
S - Synod
W - Wisconsin
M - Missouri
E - Evangelical

[SPALATIN]

If my memory is working, there were a bunch of smaller Lutheran churches around the US, such as the ALC, the LCA, the AELC (I think), and several smaller ones, and they all merged in 1988 to form the ELCA. Of course, the LCMS, WELS, and ELS were all around before '88, too. I would bet the ELCA website would have a list of all who joined.

Today, the four biggest Lutheran bodies in the US are the ELCA, the LCMS, the WELS, and the ELS.

There are also a few other smaller bodies, such as the Church of the Lutheran Confessions, the Lutheran Brethern, etc...

L - Lutheran
A - America/American
C - Church
S - Synod
W - Wisconsin
M - Missouri
E - Evangelical

YOu are correct in the big 3 ALC, LCA and AELC (AELC is what was formed after the Seminex walkout in 1974.) joined together in 1988 to become the ELCA.

[ByzantineDixie]

YOu are correct in the big 3 ALC, LCA and AELC (AELC is what was formed after the Seminex walkout in 1974.) joined together in 1988 to become the ELCA.

Hey Scott, are you fairly up on the Seminex thing? I believe the historical critical method of biblical interpretation was at the heart of the matter but do you know how it came to the sems? Was that the only issue? Just curious as to the historical evolution of the split.

Thanks for any info you might have.-----R

[SPALATIN]

Hey Scott, are you fairly up on the Seminex thing? I believe the historical critical method of biblical interpretation was at the heart of the matter but do you know how it came to the sems? Was that the only issue? Just curious as to the historical evolution of the split.

Thanks for any info you might have.-----R
I have just read a few papers on the subject. You are correct about the Historical-Critical method being a large part of the problem but it actually began about 10-years earlier and just progressed slowly until the group that held to the HC method of interpreting Biblical scripture. You should look up papers by Daniel Preus who wrote a paper on the 25 anniversary of the walkout. That will give you a broader picture of what happened.

Scott Strohkirch:yum:

[filosofer]

Probably one of the better theological histories of the walkout is by Kurt Marquart, Anatomy of an Explosion. He shows the roots of it the changes that came about after World War II and the 44.

Interestingly in the mid to late 1950's Horace Hummel was avante garde and a promoter of the HCM. Even Martin Scharlemann presented a paper at the 1959 Convention, and for which He publicly apologized at the 1962 Convention. Thankfully the reception of the apology reflected forgiveness and restoration. After seminex, the lines had hardened so much that confession/absolution and certainly restoration was forgotten by both sides.

Many professors who had walked out (of Concordia, St. Louis) - only to return to campus later in the day to finish business as usual - much later regretted their decision, and desired to be restored within the Synod. But the responses by some on the Synodical position was such that restoration would never happen.

It saddens me that even today 30 years afterward, some of the wounds on both sides have never been healed. And those wounds had nothing to do with HCM or which side the person was on.

-----

Well, enough reflection from an old codger...

But thank God, for his grace, forgiveness, restoration, healing ...

[ByzantineDixie]

Filosofer,

You were probably fairly close to some of this, eh? I am very sorry to hear that confession, absolution and ultimately restoration was not embraced. Doesn't quite seem right for a church, does it?

Are you a big Marquart fan? I have only read some of his things. It's hard for me to read him without being negatively influenced by his tone. It might just be me. I get a little sensitive about some issues. I welcome another point of view.

Peace

Rose

[filosofer]

I am not a Marquart fan. I think God has used him in valuable ways in the past, but the direction over the past 15 years makes me wonder about his current value for God and the LCMS. The Nagel-influenced (SL) and Marquart-influenced (FW) groups that loudly proclaim their confessionalism have turned away from an evangelical confessional position to an absolutism that is not appropriate, nor ever intended by Scripture or the Confessions. Many of these (young) pastors demonstrate a domineering attitude of absolutism that rejects any congregational or circuit criticism of his doctrine or practice, but at the same time insists that he has the right/duty to dispense judgment on pastors and congregations whom he has never met, nor discussed the issues with them.

BTW, this attitude has been amply demonstrated by the liberals in the church body as well. This is not a one-sided affair.

When I took a graduate class (along with some seminary students in the class), I approached the professor about his attitude and off-hand comments that made him "popular" with the confessional students. I commented on how his influence on these (mostly) young men was carried to the extreme when they arrived in the parish, and sarcasm and ridicule become standard banter for some of them. He was indifferent and saw no problem.

Yes, this issue hits very close to home. Keep in mind that I have friends on both ends of the spectrum, so not everyone who claims to the (inappropriate) label "confessional" is guilty of this kind of behavior. But such behavior has increased dramatically in the past 15 years.

The term "confessional" is not some label of who is the "theologically pure" as hinted at by many who use the term. We are a confessional church. By understanding that term, it is not the unique property of a minority of people who wish to castigate their opponents on a certain issue.

[SPALATIN]

I am not a Marquart fan. I think God has used him in valuable ways in the past, but the direction over the past 15 years makes me wonder about his current value for God and the LCMS. The Nagel-influenced (SL) and Marquart-influenced (FW) groups that loudly proclaim their confessionalism have turned away from an evangelical confessional position to an absolutism that is not appropriate, nor ever intended by Scripture or the Confessions. Many of these (young) pastors demonstrate a domineering attitude of absolutism that rejects any congregational or circuit criticism of his doctrine or practice, but at the same time insists that he has the right/duty to dispense judgment on pastors and congregations whom he has never met, nor discussed the issues with them.

BTW, this attitude has been amply demonstrated by the liberals in the church body as well. This is not a one-sided affair.

When I took a graduate class (along with some seminary students in the class), I approached the professor about his attitude and off-hand comments that made him "popular" with the confessional students. I commented on how his influence on these (mostly) young men was carried to the extreme when they arrived in the parish, and sarcasm and ridicule become standard banter for some of them. He was indifferent and saw no problem.

Yes, this issue hits very close to home. Keep in mind that I have friends on both ends of the spectrum, so not everyone who claims to the (inappropriate) label "confessional" is guilty of this kind of behavior. But such behavior has increased dramatically in the past 15 years.

The term "confessional" is not some label of who is the "theologically pure" as hinted at by many who use the term. We are a confessional church. By understanding that term, it is not the unique property of a minority of people who wish to castigate their opponents on a certain issue.


I am sure that there are those Seminary professors who are liberal in their teaching as well. I went to Concordia St. Paul in the early 90s. While I was only a Business major I did have my fair share of religion classes that were required. Some of the profs were very conservative while others were moderate. We didn't really see many liberals in the Religion classes but when we got to the secular classes the Liberals were abundant.

May I ask who you favor in the upcoming election?

[filosofer]

May I ask who you favor in the upcoming election?

I'm probably not the best one to answer that! ;)

I think one of the tragedies for our Synod is the politicization of the "election" process, since at least 1962 when Harms was elected. The fact that there is "campaigning" and leaflet distribtution on "who is the best suited", or "scorecards" strikes me as contrary to the spirit of servant leadership and what is needed for Synodical leadership.

Over the years I have observed that the pastors who are best qualified Biblically (solid theologically, compassionate, gift of leadership, wise, evangelical, etc.) are often the first ignored in the process. Isn’t it interesting that the concern on both sides is “who is electable”? That reflects political realities of 2004, but not Scriptural quidelines for leadership.

Thus, any names I think could provide who would demonstrate the leadership for our church body are not even on the ballot of any group!

[ByzantineDixie]

Thanks much for your balanced and knowledgable perspective. It has provided some insight and helped me understand a few things better. (And though you won't understand why, also eased some worries I had. Yes, despite the bleek picture that was painted!)

Rose

[filosofer]

Thanks much for your balanced and knowledgable perspective. It has provided some insight and helped me understand a few things better.

Glad to help in any way possible.

(And though you won't understand why, also eased some worries I had. Yes, despite the bleek picture that was painted!)

Rose

This, too, pleases me. If anything over the years, I have discovered more clearly that no matter who "wins" God is in control and he works through the Word and Sacraments as He desires, despite our "best" efforts to thwart them. And God has not promised that the "gates of hell will not prevail against the LCMS (or any other denomination)" but Jesus said: "on that (Peter's confession) I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail it."

[Rechtgläubig]

http://www.elca.org/archives/churchbodykey.html

:D


ELCA (EA) - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1988-present) TALC (A) - The American Lutheran Church (1960-1987) ALC (AM) - American Lutheran Church (1930-1960)

[SPALATIN]

I'm probably not the best one to answer that! ;)

I think one of the tragedies for our Synod is the politicization of the "election" process, since at least 1962 when Harms was elected. The fact that there is "campaigning" and leaflet distribtution on "who is the best suited", or "scorecards" strikes me as contrary to the spirit of servant leadership and what is needed for Synodical leadership.

Over the years I have observed that the pastors who are best qualified Biblically (solid theologically, compassionate, gift of leadership, wise, evangelical, etc.) are often the first ignored in the process. Isn’t it interesting that the concern on both sides is “who is electable”? That reflects political realities of 2004, but not Scriptural quidelines for leadership.

Thus, any names I think could provide who would demonstrate the leadership for our church body are not even on the ballot of any group!
I am guessing that by some of the posts you have put here lately that you are a seminary student in St. Louis. I know that you are probably closer to the situation in some cases than those of us who are just laymen. Do you have a favorite on the Ballot at all? I would think that Preus would be a better pick than Kieschnick or Marquardt at this point.

Please give your perspective on the lesser of all the evils on the Ballot.

Scott

[filosofer]

I am guessing that by some of the posts you have put here lately that you are a seminary student in St. Louis. I know that you are probably closer to the situation in some cases than those of us who are just laymen.

No, seminary was many years ago, and I was third career when I started.



Do you have a favorite on the Ballot at all? I would think that Preus would be a better pick than Kieschnick or Marquardt at this point.

Please give your perspective on the lesser of all the evils on the Ballot.

Scott

I had met Kieschnick several times over the past 15 years, and would characterize him as having an evangelical (in the best Lutheran sense of that word) heart. I have never met Daniel Preus, so not sure about him. I had known JAO (had a graduate class from him), his brother, Robert, and his son Jack (president of Concordia Irvine). From what I know of Jack, I would say that he could be an effective leader, but not in the tradition of his father. Of course, none of this has any bearing on my view of Daniel.

Our circuit meets this coming week and I look forward to hearing the discussion, but more importantly the resolutions that are proposed. In some senses these will have more long term affect on our church than who is elected.

[SPALATIN]

No, seminary was many years ago, and I was third career when I started.





I had met Kieschnick several times over the past 15 years, and would characterize him as having an evangelical (in the best Lutheran sense of that word) heart. I have never met Daniel Preus, so not sure about him. I had known JAO (had a graduate class from him), his brother, Robert, and his son Jack (president of Concordia Irvine). From what I know of Jack, I would say that he could be an effective leader, but not in the tradition of his father. Of course, none of this has any bearing on my view of Daniel.

Our circuit meets this coming week and I look forward to hearing the discussion, but more importantly the resolutions that are proposed. In some senses these will have more long term affect on our church than who is elected.
Do you ever go to the web site WWW.LUTHERQUEST.ORG (http://www.LUTHERQUEST.ORG) ?

[ChiRho]

No, seminary was many years ago, and I was third career when I started.





I had met Kieschnick several times over the past 15 years, and would characterize him as having an evangelical (in the best Lutheran sense of that word) heart. I have never met Daniel Preus, so not sure about him. I had known JAO (had a graduate class from him), his brother, Robert, and his son Jack (president of Concordia Irvine). From what I know of Jack, I would say that he could be an effective leader, but not in the tradition of his father. Of course, none of this has any bearing on my view of Daniel.

Our circuit meets this coming week and I look forward to hearing the discussion, but more importantly the resolutions that are proposed. In some senses these will have more long term affect on our church than who is elected.

You knew Robert Preus?! :bow: I am reading Justification and Rome...Preus got it like few ever did!

I saw Dr. Scaer speak at this years Symposia, although lately, some of his thinking resembles Rome...he is one of our old lions that I will be able to tell my grandchildren about!


Have you ever met Dr. Rod Rosenbladt?

Pax Christi,

ChiRho

[Lotar]

Do you ever go to the web site WWW.LUTHERQUEST.ORG (http://www.lutherquest.org/) ?
I go there to read the posts from time to time, but I've never posted there.

It's a whole forum full of ChiRhos :D

[ByzantineDixie]

Do you ever go to the web site WWW.LUTHERQUEST.ORG (http://www.LUTHERQUEST.ORG) ?


Whoa...not a fun place to play. Reminds me very much of a similar site in the reformed camp, Crosswalk.com. Hard to separate the egos from the malcontents from the guy who is really just focused on making his communication count. I actually started out at crosswalk.com but it wasn't a place where Lutheran theology could be discussed. It was a great place to have Lutheran theology attacked though. :sigh:

One thing I always liked about coming here is that folks speak to each other civily...for the most part...even if they disagree. And frankly...I haven't detected a lot of raging ego either. (OK, except for that one time when I posted my IQ score because it was higher than the gal who was in with the Catholics thinking they were the smartest board! ;) )

Thanks for the link though. I didn't know there was such a large Lutheran forum.

Peace

Rose

[JVAC]

http://www.elca.org/archives/churchbodykey.html

:D*GASP*

A WELSman citing the ELCA site

*Presses, Screen capture and saves to hard disk*

:D

-James

[ByzantineDixie]

*GASP*

A WELSman citing the ELCA site

*Presses, Screen capture and saves to hard disk*

:D

-James


:D It scared me for a minute when I saw that too. I was ready to check Recht for fever or something! Actually, excellent information, I bookmarked it. So now I have 1 ELCA site bookmarked, a couple LCMS sites and a whole boatload of WELS...those guys do make excellent use of the medium.

Rose

[Rechtgläubig]

*GASP*

A WELSman citing the ELCA site

*Presses, Screen capture and saves to hard disk*

:D

-James
What???? Oh my... uhhh... it seems my secret CF password has been cracked! :sorry: Yeah! That's it!


:D

[theologia crucis]

Man, there's some interesting church names on Recht's list (I still can't believe he went there!;)):

First (German) Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas [FGELST?]

Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod in North America [SELASNA?]

Old German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession [OGELSTUAC?]

General Synod of the Confederate States of America [GSCSA?]

Olive Branch Synod [OBS?]

[SPALATIN]

Man, there's some interesting church names on Recht's list (I still can't believe he went there!;)):

First (German) Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas [FGELST?]

Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod in North America [SELASNA?]

Old German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession [OGELSTUAC?]

General Synod of the Confederate States of America [GSCSA?]

Olive Branch Synod [OBS?]
I like the Old German one and the Scandinavian one.

Hey Theo, could you print the other verses of the Navy Hymn?

Hey Recht,

[Rechtgläubig]

Hey Recht,
Hey! :D

[theologia crucis]

Hijacking the thread. ;)

I'll give you plenty of options, Scott!

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq53-1.htm

"Eternal Father, Strong to Save": The Navy Hymn

The song known to United States Navy men and women as the "Navy Hymn," is a musical benediction that long has had a special appeal to seafaring men, particularly in the American Navy and the Royal Navies of the British Commonwealth and which, in more recent years, has become a part of French naval tradition.


The original words were written as a hymn by a schoolmaster and clergyman of the Church of England, the Rev. William Whiting. Rev. Whiting (1825-1878) resided on the English coast near the sea and had once survived a furious storm in the Mediterranean. His experiences inspired him to pen the ode, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." In the following year, 1861, the words were adapted to music by another English clergyman, the Rev. John B. Dykes (1823-1876) , who had originally written the music as "Melita" (ancient name for the Mediterranean island of Malta). Rev. Dykes' name may be recognized as that of the composer given credit for the music to many other well-known hymns, including "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Lead, Kindly Light," "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and "Nearer, My God to Thee."


In the United States, in 1879 the late Rear Adm. Charles Jackson Train, an 1865 graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis was a lieutenant commander stationed at the Academy in charge of the Midshipman Choir. In that year, Lt. Comdr. Train inaugurated the present practice of concluding each Sunday's Divine Services at the Academy with the singing of the first verse of this hymn.


The hymn, entitled "Eternal Father, Strong to Save," is found in most Protestant Hymnals. It can be more easily located in these hymnals by consulting the "Index to First Lines" under "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." The words have been changed several times since the original hymn by Rev. Whiting was first published in 1860-61. One will find that the verses as now published differ from the original primarily in the choice of one or two words in several lines of each verse. However, inasmuch as it is not known whether the original words are now available in a hymnal, those original words are given below:

Eternal Father, Strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee,
for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.


It will be noted that in the Hymnal (1940) of the Protestant Episcopal Church, the second and third verses of the hymn are different from those second and third verses published elsewhere. These substitutions give recognition to changing aspects of our culture, particularly the advent of additional modes of transportation -- the automobile and the airplane. The Episcopal second and third verses are:

O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain
O'er which our traffic runs amain,
by mountain pass or valley low,
Wherever Lord thy brethren go;
Protect them by Thy guardian hand
From every peril on the land.

O Spirit, Whom the Father send
To spread abroad the Firmament;
O wind of heaven, by Thy Might,
Save all who dare the eagle's flight;
And keep them by Thy watchful care
From every peril in the air.


The Presbyterian Church, USA, likewise has added a new verse which recognizes the advent of the field of aviation. The best information available indicates that this new verse to "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" appeared in 1943 in a little booklet then entitled, " A book of Worship and Devotion for the Armed Forces," published by the Board of Christian Education of the Presbyterian Church, USA. All indications are that this new verse can be traced back to a completely separate hymn, "Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly," written by Mary C.D. Hamilton in 1915, during the First World War. From this hymn, the first verse and the last two lines to the fourth verse were taken to form this new verse to "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." This new verse, as appearing in the little Presbyterian booklet, is as follows:

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly,
Through the great spaces of the sky;
Be with them traversing the air,
In darkening storms or sunshine fair.
O God, protect the men who fly,
Through lonely ways beneath the sky.


Apparently, during or shortly after World War II, someone in the Navy familiar with the words above adapted this verse for choral rendition. The adaptation changed a word or two here and there and substituted two new fifth and six lines. What some might call the "Naval Aviation version" is a follows:

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky,
Be with them always in the air,
In dark'ning storms or sunlight fair.
O, Hear us when we lift our prayer,
For those in peril in the air.


This version, together with the original first verse are the verses sung by the men and women of the Navy, particularly those in Naval Aviation.


The tune of "Melita," to which Rev. Dykes adapted the words of "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" in 1861, is, of course, a very moving and inspiring melody. Research indicates that the above additions and alterations to Rev. Whiting's original ode are not the only changes that have been or will be made to the hymn. From time to time, individuals have been and will be inspired to write verses other than those which are indicated in this brief background.


Here are some current alternates:

Eternal Father, grant, we pray
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, thy law fulfill;
Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps.
--J.E. Seim, 1966

Lord, stand beside the men who build
And give them courage, strength, and skill.
O grant them peace of heart and mind,
And comfort loved ones left behind.
Lord, hear our prayer for all Seabees,
Where'er they be on land or sea.
--R.J. Dietrich, 1960

Lord God, our power evermore,
Who arm doth reach the ocean floor,
Dive with our men beneath the sea;
Traverse the depths protectively.
O hear us when we pray, and keep
them safe from peril in the deep.
--David B. Miller, 1965

O God, protect the women who,
in service, faith in thee renew;
O guide devoted hands of skill
And bless their work within thy will;
Inspire their lives that they may be
Examples fair on land and sea.
-- Lines 1-4, Merle E. Strickland, 1972,
and adapted by James D. Shannon, 1973.
Lines 5-6, Beatrice M. Truitt, 1948

Creator, Father, who dost show
Thy splendor in the ice and snow,
Bless those who toil in summer light
And through the cold Antarctic night,
As they thy frozen wonders learn;
Bless those who wait for their return.
-- L.E. Vogel, 1965

Eternal Father, Lord of hosts,
Watch o'er the men who guard our coasts.
Protect them from the raging seas
And give them light and life and peace.
Grant them from thy great throne above
The shield and shelter of thy love.
-- Author and date unknown

Eternal Father, King of birth,
Who didst create the heaven and earth,
And bid the planets and the sun
Their own appointed orbits run;
O hear us when we seek they grace
For those who soar through outer space.
-- J.E. Volonte, 1961

Creator, Father, who first breathed
In us the life that we received,
By power of they breath restore
The ill, and men with wounds of war.
Bless those who give their healing care,
That life and laughter all may share
-- Galen H. Meyer, 1969
Adapted by James D. Shannon, 1970

God, who dost still the restless foam,
Protect the ones we love at home.
Provide that they should always be
By thine own grace both safe and free.
O Father, hear us when we pray
For those we love so far away.
-- Hugh Taylor, date unknown

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
And those who on the ocean ply;
Be with our troops upon the land,
And all who for their country stand:
Be with these guardians day and night
And may their trust be in they might.
-- author unknown, about 1955

O Father, King of earth and sea,
We dedicate this ship to thee.
In faith we send her on her way;
In faith to thee we humbly pray:
O hear from heaven our sailor's cry
And watch and guard her from on high!
-- Author and date unknown

And when at length her course is run,
Her work for home and country done,
Of all the souls that in her sailed
Let not one life in thee have failed;
But hear from heaven our sailor's cry,
And grant eternal life on high!
-- Author and date unknown

Text extracted from a publication of the Bureau of Naval Personnel


This hymn is often used at funerals for personnel who served in or were associated with the Navy. Eternal Father was the favorite hymn of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was sung at his funeral at Hyde Park, New York in April 1945. Roosevelt had served as Secretary of the Navy. This hymn was also played as President John F. Kennedy's body was carried up the steps of the capitol to lie in state.



They played this at President Reagan's funeral yesterday, though I though he was an Army man...

[theologia crucis]

(Continuing the hijacking...)

http://www.chaplain.navy.mil/Attachments/101verses.pdf

O Holy Father, grant we pray,
To steadfast families on this day,
The courage still to carry on
When loved ones have been gone so long.
Then give each heart your song to sing,
And round this earth may freedom ring.

Mrs. Elizabeth Looby

O, God protect this couple who,
In marrigae, faith in Thee renew
Inspire their lives that they may be
Examples true on land and sea.
Grant them from Thy great throne above
The shield and shelter of Thy love.

Pauline E. Dwyer & CDR. Gary F. Johnson

Eternal Father, bless those who serve
In our gallant Naval Reserve.
We need their talent, effort, too;
They are patriots through and through.
Give them guidance in each deed
When they're called in time of need.

Carl Eugene Bolte, Jr. CAPT, CHC, USNR (Ret)

O God, for these United States
We seek the bond thy love creates.
May patriots dwell within our shore
Through thy great strength forevermore.
Wher'er the stars and stripes unfurl
May freedom shine to all the world.

C. D. Wilson (Jan 1967)

Eternal Lord God, strong to save
Help all your children raped today.
Stop all who plan such violence now,
Bring justice to each victim's house.
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For all your children raped today.

LCDR Sandra Bochonok, CHC, USNR

O Christ, who gave His life for me,
And gives new life now unto me;
I thank you for this life so free,
And for the peace that lives in me.
O Jesus now,I give to Thee,
All that I have in praise to Thee.

Unknown

O Sovereign Lord whose sure decree,
Preserves His children while at sea,
Who gives His sons in Christ to grow
Thy providence conforms them so
With joyful hearts and patient trust
We love Thee on the TEXAS.

EMC Pat Sullivan, USN

And lastly:

Eternal Father, spare the curse
Of yet another "Navy" verse
which just confuses singing hearts,
(too many words, despair imparts),
O hear us when we cry anew
for those in peril on the pew! Amen

G. W. Linzey

[JVAC]

One will find that the verses as now published differ from the original primarily in the choice of one or two words in several lines of each verse.
LBW #467 matches the original lyrics you posted. This is one of my favourite hymns :D

-James

[SPALATIN]

(Continuing the hijacking...)

http://www.chaplain.navy.mil/Attachments/101verses.pdf

O Holy Father, grant we pray,
To steadfast families on this day,
The courage still to carry on
When loved ones have been gone so long.
Then give each heart your song to sing,
And round this earth may freedom ring.

Mrs. Elizabeth Looby

O, God protect this couple who,
In marrigae, faith in Thee renew
Inspire their lives that they may be
Examples true on land and sea.
Grant them from Thy great throne above
The shield and shelter of Thy love.

Pauline E. Dwyer & CDR. Gary F. Johnson

Eternal Father, bless those who serve
In our gallant Naval Reserve.
We need their talent, effort, too;
They are patriots through and through.
Give them guidance in each deed
When they're called in time of need.

Carl Eugene Bolte, Jr. CAPT, CHC, USNR (Ret)

O God, for these United States
We seek the bond thy love creates.
May patriots dwell within our shore
Through thy great strength forevermore.
Wher'er the stars and stripes unfurl
May freedom shine to all the world.

C. D. Wilson (Jan 1967)

Eternal Lord God, strong to save
Help all your children raped today.
Stop all who plan such violence now,
Bring justice to each victim's house.
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For all your children raped today.

LCDR Sandra Bochonok, CHC, USNR

O Christ, who gave His life for me,
And gives new life now unto me;
I thank you for this life so free,
And for the peace that lives in me.
O Jesus now,I give to Thee,
All that I have in praise to Thee.

Unknown

O Sovereign Lord whose sure decree,
Preserves His children while at sea,
Who gives His sons in Christ to grow
Thy providence conforms them so
With joyful hearts and patient trust
We love Thee on the TEXAS.

EMC Pat Sullivan, USN

And lastly:

Eternal Father, spare the curse
Of yet another "Navy" verse
which just confuses singing hearts,
(too many words, despair imparts),
O hear us when we cry anew
for those in peril on the pew! Amen

G. W. Linzey
Seems to me that I have even heard the words for On CHrist the solid Rock I stand to this melody as well.

[theologia crucis]

Seems to me that I have even heard the words for On CHrist the solid Rock I stand to this melody as well.

Yep! I think there are three melodies to "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" (LBW 293, LBW 294, LW 368):

1.) Melita (i.e., The Navy Hymn (http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lbw/lbw294.mid))
2.) The Solid Rock (LBW 293 (http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lbw/lbw293.mid))
3.) Magdalen (LW 368 (http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lutheranworship/lw368.mid))

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
By: Edward Mote

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteous;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In every high and story gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Hymn # 368 from Lutheran Worship
Author: John Stainer
Tune: Magdalen
1st Published in: 1836