Matthew 10:27-31

²⁷ What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. ²⁸ Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ And even the hairs of your head are all counted. ³¹ So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Borning Cry                                                                ELW #732

1  “I was there to hear your borning cry,

    I’ll be there when you are old.

    I rejoiced the day you were baptized

    to see your life unfold.

    I was there when you were but a child,

    with a faith to suit you well;

    in a blaze of light you wandered off

    to find where demons dwell.”

2  “When you heard the wonder of the Word

    I was there to cheer you on;

    you were raised to praise the living Lord,

    to whom you now belong.

    If you find someone to share your time

    and you join your hearts as one,

    I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme

    from dusk till rising sun.”

3  “In the middle ages of your life,

    not too old, no longer young,

    I’ll be there to guide you through the night,

    complete what I’ve begun.

    When the evening gently closes in

    and you shut your weary eyes,

    I’ll be there as I have always been,

    with just one more surprise.”

4  “I was there to hear your borning cry,

    I’ll be there when you are old.

    I rejoiced the day you were baptized

    to see your life unfold.”

Text: John C. Ylvisaker, b. 1937

Text © 1985 John C. Ylvisaker

God holds us as God’s own, all the days of our lives. Let us live trusting in his mercy and grace.