A trav’lling man from far-off Ethiopia
offered a ride to Philip on the road.
They rode and talked of ancient Hebrew scriptures
and of the hope which God’s great love bestowed.
Christ calls the church to build a new community,
including people of each land and race;
all nations, genders, classes, personalities,
all sorts, conditions: Christ extends his grace.
He was a eunuch, broken in his body,
and scorned by many for his injuries.
So shall the church extend its hand in welcome
to all who live with disabilities.
Christ calls the church to build a new community,
including people of each land and race;
all nations, genders, classes, personalities,
all sorts, conditions: Christ extends his grace.
He was a eunuch, could not father children.
Descendants would not share his elder years.
Now may the church include folk of all lifestyles
and share their joys and pains, their hopes and fears.
Christ calls the church to build a new community,
including people of each land and race;
all nations, genders, classes, personalities,
all sorts, conditions: Christ extends his grace.
He was a eunuch, senior court official,
custodian of his nation’s treasury.
The church is also called by Christ to dialogue
with those who work in public policy.
Christ calls the church to build a new community,
including people of each land and race;
all nations, genders, classes, personalities,
all sorts, conditions: Christ extends his grace.
The Ethiopian traveler continued on;
he went rejoicing on his homeward road.
As well, the church is still a people on the way
and still rejoices in the grace of God.
Christ calls the church to build a new community,
including people of each land and race;
all nations, genders, classes, personalities,
all sorts, conditions: Christ extends his grace.
Copyright: Robert J. Faser, 2000
tune: Londonderry Air
This hymn may be used with permission in a worship service, provided that acknowledgement of the author is made.
Found in “Songs for Singing” by Bob Faser and John McRae: To obtain a copy of “Songs for Singing”, please send an e-mail to bobfaser@hotmail.com.
Some years ago, I had the idea of a series of hymns based on the passages from the Book of Acts read during the season from Easter to Pentecost. So far, I have written two hymns, both to the Irish folk tune Londonderry Air.
Hymn arrangements for Londonderry Air can be found in British Methodist hymnbooks for the hymn “I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship …” (no. 238 in Hymns and Psalms), and in John Bell and Graham Maule’s When Grief is Raw, for the hymn “Go, silent friend . . .”. An arrangement by John McRae also appears in “Songs for Singing”.
This hymn is based on the encounter of Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8: 26 – 40). It reflects on the different aspects of the eunuch; as a person with a disability, as a person outside conventional family structures, and as a senior political “mover and shaker”. It reflects on the church’s ministry regarding these aspects of human life.
