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The church is called to
mission, to share the story of Jesus with the lost. But we need
the Holy Spirit's power if we are to make even a beginning of fulfilling
this mission. We pray that the Spirit set His church ablaze with a
love for Christ and sharing His name. This song was inspired from a
number of sources. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Mission movement, Ablaze, was
part of it, as is St. John's Lutheran Church's new involvement in
Hispanic Ministry in Napa. But it was the occasion of preaching on
2 Timothy 1:6 that brought it all into focus as a prayer that God set
his church on fire for His mission.
I had the privilege of performing this song at the 2004 Lutheran
Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Leadership Conference. The theme of
the conference was the Ablaze movement of the Lutheran Church Missouri
Synod (LCMS). Although written for the LCMS, my prayer is for the
whole church of Christ in all the world to be set Ablaze!
You can read more about the LCMS Ablaze movement
here.
Ablaze was recorded by "TBD" for the LCMS Ablaze DVD "Crossing the
Jordan." You can hear it on the Ablaze website
here.
TBD is working on recording other original worship songs for an upcoming
CD.
Verse 1
Cold is the wind that blows in the night
The darkness is deepest where there’s no light
Who will You send to carry the flame?
Who will proclaim your name?
People are lost and don’t even know it
If we know the way, then why don’t we show it?
Ignite the flame, O Lord fan the spark
That we may shine in the dark
Chorus
Set us ablaze, O Lord
Set us ablaze to tell Your story
Shout aloud the hope of glory
So that the lost will find the way
Set us ablaze, O Lord
And fill your church with holy fire
To share your love our one desire
All our days
Set us ablaze
Verse 2
For you, Lord alone are the one who can save
Your cross alone, and Your empty grave
Hearts to renew, and sins to forgive
That all of the world might live
Ignite the flame, O Lord, send Your Spirit
That we proclaim, and that they may hear it
Send us to show them the way that is true
Send us to lead them to You.
Ending
I’ve got a calling
I’ve got a mission
Out of the boat
And on with the fishing
Ablaze
Hearts that are
burning
Minds that are learning
Filled with a yearning
To see lives turning
Ablaze
Words and Music by Michael A. Schmid. Copyright © 2004
by Michael A. Schmid c/o True Vine Music, Napa, CA. All rights
reserved. Used by permission.
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