BEMYSTRENGTH

1. Like a well-worn shoe,
you have supported me;
I have trusted you since I was young. But now my legs won't take me
quite as far or quite as swiftly,
be my strength, be my speed, be my shelter.

2. Like a cosy room,
you have surrounded me;
like a mother's womb, keeping me safe. But now my bones are brittle
and my voice won't sing as sweetly,
be my strength, be my speed, be my shelter.
Don't stay away from me,
God, I rely on you.
Do not abandon me now I'm old. Life hasn't been all that easy,
but you have protected me
since the day I was born.

3. Like no other God,
you keep me from the grave; death will come just once,
life will go on.
And though I don't feel different than I did when I was younger,
be my strength, be my speed, be my shelter.

1992. I had been asked to write a song for the aged care presentation at the annual state convention of our church. I made no headway until my co-worker at St Stephen's, Ronda Schultz (who had asked me in the first place!), suggested I look at Psalm 71 as a basis. Voilà!

ALWS 29/5/24

In May 2023 we travelled to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, seeing work supported by Australian Lutheran World Service. Dorothy and I are Ambassadors for the ALWS programme, Lives You Touch. We are encouraging people to leave money in their will for the work of ALWS. We committed to leave a third of our will many years ago and hope many others can touch lives in this way.

Last year we visited churches in SA, Vic, Qld and WA with Jonathan & Julie Krause promoting the cause of ALWS.

Coming up soon:

* Nuriootpa (St Petri) Saturday June 22, 4 pm

To be confirmed:
Bordertown July 28,
Everton Park (Qld) August 17,
Canberra August 24

Looking forward to seeing you at one of these events