I woke up this morning (5 hours ahead of you guys) - and heard that the return of the shuttle has had to be delayed because of low cloud and a bit of rain; they will, I understand, re orbit (90 mins) and then try to come down.
I was thinking how frightening it must be for the astronauts, thinking that the shields may give up on re entry.
I thought maybe we could all join together in (For the theists) a Prayer, and for non-theists maybe your best wishes and hopes for their safe retun to Earth. I know I will not feel comfortable until they are safely down.
I hope the non-theists will forgive me for posting a hymn for the astronauts, which you might well consider less distasteful than a prayer, which you could possibly think about.
I thought this hymn was particularly apt in the circumstances ( and more so, because I didn't realize until now that it was an American one!
US Navy Hymn (Eternal Father, Strong to Save)
Words by William Whiting (1860) Music by Rev. John Bacchus Dykes (1861)
I was thinking how frightening it must be for the astronauts, thinking that the shields may give up on re entry.
I thought maybe we could all join together in (For the theists) a Prayer, and for non-theists maybe your best wishes and hopes for their safe retun to Earth. I know I will not feel comfortable until they are safely down.
I hope the non-theists will forgive me for posting a hymn for the astronauts, which you might well consider less distasteful than a prayer, which you could possibly think about.
I thought this hymn was particularly apt in the circumstances ( and more so, because I didn't realize until now that it was an American one!
US Navy Hymn (Eternal Father, Strong to Save)
Words by William Whiting (1860) Music by Rev. John Bacchus Dykes (1861)
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea)( :162: