# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1962_S41
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

7 Oo &

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DOCTRINAL-DEVOTIONAL ESSAYS

we were thankful and would avail ourselves of it, as
the people of Nineveh did, lest we by our ingratitude
perish more miserably, as the Ninevites did at a later
date.”

O my Missouri, do not be angry with your God,
rather, “rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say,
Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

“A greater than” Missouri “is here” (see Luke 11:
32). Christ is come! He is become one of you, He has
borne the burden and the heat of your day. He has
kept the Law for you. Rejoice! He has suffered the
punishment of your sins for you. Rejoice! He has con-
quered death and the devil for you. Rejoice! He has
opened Paradise to you. Rejoice! He has ascended on
high and makes intercession for you. Rejoice! He is
coming to judge you in justice and grace. Rejoice! He
has given you a purpose for being, a reason for living,
a motive for serving, a message to proclaim. Rejoice!

Oh, rejoice, ye Christians, loudly,
For our joy hath now begun;
Wondrous things our God hath done.
Tell abroad His goodness proudly
Who our race hath honored thus
That He deigns to dwell with us.
Joy, oh, joy, beyond all gladness,
Christ hath done away with sadness!
Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

Lord, how shall I thank Thee rightly?
I acknowledge that by Thee

I am saved eternally.

Let me not forget it lightly,

But to Thee at all times cleave

And my heart true peace receive.
Joy, oh, joy, beyond all gladness,
Christ hath done away with sadness!
Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

(The Lutheran Hymnal, 96:1, 3)

Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!

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