Our church service yesterday was in honor of the local police, firemen, EMT's and other first responders. The fire truck, ambulance and police cars in the parking lot did not discourage attendance; indeed the service was better attended than some.
The Moderator wrote some new verses which we sang to Rev. Dykes'traditional tune:

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep,
O hear us when we pray to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.

Eternal Father, Lord of all
Protect each one who hears the call.
They ask not what a danger waits,
It's just to answer is their fate.
O bless them as they speed along,
They fear naught ill for they are strong.

When sirens echo from the Moats*
The Valley** hears those eerie notes.
The EMT's are on the way with
All who serve both night and day.
We thank Thee for them as they heed
Our cry to them when we're in need.

And so today we all admire
The ones who battle crime and fire.
They keep our families safe from harm,
Professionals when there's alarm.
We honor them as we do Thee
Who watch o'er our Community.

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest,
Fire and foe, Protect them where-s-e'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise frm land and sea. Amen.

First and last verses, modifications hymnists have made in Rev. Whiting's text.
Verses 2,3,4, Carl Lindblade.

*The Moats are a nine mile range of mountains stretching down from the White Mountains on the west side of Bartlett, North Conway and Conway villages in New Hampshire.
**Mt. Washington Valley