In This E-psitle:

Onward, then you people
A Faith Shared 

Sunday’s sermon text is Ephesians 6:10-18, the “full armor” of God passage where the Apostle Paul challenges his friends to stand firm in the faith and then uses the image of a Roman Legionnaire’s battle equipment to suggest ways to prepare ourselves for the spiritual battles we surely face.  As part of the service we will sing two familiar hymns, “Lead On, O King Eternal” and “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The hymns also use military imagery.  “Lead On, O King Eternal” remains in the Presbyterian Hymnal, but “Onward Christian Soldiers” was omitted in this 1990 collection used throughout our denomination.   

Some people are convinced that the Hymnal’s editing committee deleted “Onward Christian Soldiers” for reasons of political correctness, and that might be a fair conclusion seeing as that there are plenty of examples of such silly correctness in the hymnal (like many regular users of the Hymnal, I have my list of the most odious abuses).  The hymn itself was written as a song for English schoolchildren making their annual procession from one village to another as part of the festival of Whitmonday (the day after Pentecost).  Certainly an innocent beginning.  Additionally, in both Great Britain and the United States, the hymn has been used extensively by the Salvation Army and reminds us of the great ministry of care and compassion carried out by the Army. 

But there is a sad dark side to “Onward Christian Soldiers.”  The hymn became a fighting song for the radical Protestants of Belfast, Northern Ireland, under Ian Paisley.  Groups of anti-Catholic thugs marching to the tune of this once-sweet hymn were responsible for grisly murders and other crimes against humanity during the worst of the “holy war” in Belfast. 

Maybe it should have been taken out of the Hymnal.  We’ll put the words on a bulletin insert on Sunday. 

I believe that “Onward Christian Soldiers” will be appropriate for Sunday’s service and that we must allow ourselves to use the imagery Paul uses in understanding his call to stand firm.  But we will use it cautiously.  Here is the final stanza of the hymn: 

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing. 

No hate there.

And what does all this have to do with a Sydney Crosby slap shot?  Better come Sunday! 

Faith sharing is an intimidating challenge for many of us.  How do we mention our faith and spiritual things without being intrusive or offensive?  I’ve been at work arranging the itinerary for this summer’s Brazil Mission Trip.  One of the travel agents we have worked with over the years is a woman from Houston Texas.  I have never met Jullia (named changed to protect the innocent) but have emailed and talked on the phone often.  Earlier this week, Julia emailed me to apologize for a delayed response on something explaining that she was out of the office most of the day undergoing some routine treatment for a recurrence of breast cancer (much like the case of Elizabeth Edwards we would hear about earlier in the week).   

I wrote back and shared a bit about my own experience with cancer and then said, “I believe that God was gracious and faithful in my situation and am confident that he will likewise be gracious and faithful to your throughout this current passage.” 

Of course, Julia might have been offended.  She might be angry at God.  She might deny the existence of God.  But she might also need some encouragement, so I shared a little bit of faith in one simple sentence. 

Julia responded:  I greatly appreciate your prayers. I was diagnosed on 2001 with breast cancer (bilateral) and had surgeries, chemo, radiation and more.  You know the drill.  I was ok for about 5 years but the cancer recurred a year ago and now it is on the breasts (both), skin, lungs and bones.  But I have been on arimidex for a year and I am doing good.  But every 3 months I have to get some bone scans, cat scans and more done. I'm hanging in there and I know God is great and I have faith and believe in him.  I have always been a very positive, optimist and happy person and that have helped me a lot. Thanks again for your prayers. 

Faith shared.  Both ways.  Mine with Julia and Julia’s with me.  And a door open for further contact.  By the way I explained to Julia why I’m so aggressive on getting the cheapest fare for our trips – every dollar saved on airfare is a dollar more for mission.  Now Julia is working all the harder on our itinerary and praying for the success of our work. 

Keep my friend Julia in your prayers.