For all the saints, who from their labors rest,

 

One of the great hymns of Christiandom on this All Saints Day

 1. For all the saints, who from their labors rest,

who thee by faith before the world confessed, 

thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. 

Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;

thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;

thou, in the darkness drear, the one true Light.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

3. O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,

fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

and win, with them, the victor's crown of gold.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine

yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

5. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

and hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

6. The golden evening brightens in the west;

soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;

sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

7. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;

the saints triumphant rise in bright array;

the King of glory passes on his way.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

8. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,

through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

Alleluia, Alleluia! 

Now we will praise our great heroes, the ancestors of our people from times long past. Our God gave them greatness and honor, they too reflected the greatness of God in ancient times. Some of them had power over great domains and gained their fame through their strength. Others were advisors who possessed great foresight and spoke with the power of prophets. Some led the people through their wisdom, and by their knowledge of the Law of Israel, teaching the people from their wealth of understanding. Some composed great music, others wrote great poetry. Still others possessed great wealth and power, living a life of ease in their estates. All of these were known for great honor and those among them took great pride in them. Some left behind them renown, and their stories are told to this day. Others are forgotten; passed away, as though they had never existed, as if they had never been born — and their children after them did the same. But it was different with our ancestors who were true to their faith; their virtuous deeds will be remembered forever. Their progeny will last for all time and respect for their names will never die. Their bodies are at peace but their names will continue forever. Ecclesiasticus 44:1–10, 13–14

I'm smelling another Elijah the Prophet about to break forth onto the scene...

 

Aside from Bob Thiel being thrilled that the sermon mentioned Elijah, Bob Thiel, and a double portion of the spirit in the sermon, Bob is hardly going to be capturing hearts and minds with sermons, or rather Bible Story reading, as this. The translator should have just read the story to his own people and cut out the middleman Nelson. Nothing here actually needed a translator. Bob could have saved the airfare as well for Mr. Nelson.

I honestly don't see the point in this presentation. Bob sends a minister to read what anyone in the native language could read to the people and gets all excited that in some way, this is an amazing occurrence and proof to Bob of who knows what.  

With whatever all due respect I can muster, this is a pretty poor presentation. Lifeless, listless, and lazy comes to mind. The applause at the end by the three people sounded more like claps of joy this is over. 

Personally, I'd be embarrassed by this presentation, but Bob does not seem ever to suffer embarrassment. 

With breathless amazement Bob announces...

"The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce the following sermon from its CCOGAfrica channel:
 

The Story of Elijah in English & Chichewa

In Malawi, Terry Nelson speaks in English, in a sermon that is also simultaneously translated in Chichewa by Radson Mulozowa. He talks about the story of Elijah the prophet and goes over numerous scriptures. Terry Nelson also mentions Elisha, Bob Thiel, miracles, and a double-portion of God’s Holy Spirit."

 

Imagine if you will...

Apostle Dave Pack...

 

“This highway leads to the shadowy tip of reality: you're on a through route to the land of the different, the bizarre, the unexplainable...Go as far as you like on this road. Its limits are only those of mind itself. Ladies and Gentlemen, you're entering the wondrous dimension of imagination. . .
Next stop The Twilight Zone.”
― Rod Serling