A hymn recently composed by a classmate of Pastor Fields, Gino Marchetti II, on death and the resurrection of the body:

“Though Death’s Dark Night is Drawing Near”

For Pastor Michael Barnes, who taught me to love God’s people, even when it hurts.
—
1) Though Death’s dark night is drawing near,
And I prepare to sleep.
Though Satan’s near, I shall not fear,
For Christ the watch does keep.
Should night be long, should dark be deep,
I shall in Thee confide,
For Thou alone my soul dost keep,
And Thou alone art guide.

2.) Thou only art the Life, the Way;
Thou only art the Truth.
O’er Thee Death holds no longer sway,
Thy birth from death the proof.
Thou cam’st in human flesh to dwell;
For us were crucified.
Thou didst suffer to make us well,
And us to purify.

3) In flesh Thou felt the sin of Cain,
By liars crucified.
Thou, Lord, didst known Death’s sting of pain,
Yet Satan Thou defied.
For Thou didst not in Death’s deep gloom
Remain forevermore,
Thou didst rise up from Death’s dark tomb,
And willst taste death no more.

4) I pray, therefore, make haste to bring
Us out of Death’s dread night,
And make from darkest graves to spring
Those sleeping into light.
For those in Thee who do believe
Shall never die true death.
For in Thee there is true reprieve
From the strong bands of death.

Δ5) All glory to the Father be,
Who raised Christ from the dead.
To Christ our King, we bend the knee,
The Church’s Living Head.
The Holy Ghost be also praised,
The Spirit of Our Lord.
Oh Trinity, Thy name we raise:
Be worshiped and adored!

—
Meter: C.M.D.
Tune: “Kingsfold” (Public Domain)
Text: Gino R. Marchetti, II

Date: Monday and Tuesday of the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost 2018 +A.D.+