In the last 24 hours, three people (two women and a man) have died at Jon’s internship site. Thus… three funerals will happen this week with a wedding on Saturday at a local church (our sanctuary is torn up to install a new heating/air-conditioning system). I knew one of the women sort of well so I am sad about her — she was in her 80’s and offered to teach Jon and I how to drive and me how to sew! She loved Rennie, the fox in Jon’s children’s sermons, and was one of the first people we met when we came to the church.

In all of this, there is a hymn that is offering me comfort

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out lifeï??s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is deathï??s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heavenï??s morning breaks, and earthï??s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
—“Abide With Me” (via the Cyberhymnal)