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O Christ, Who Called the Twelve

O Christ, who called the twelve to rise

O Christ, Who Called the Twelve is a hymn text by Herman G. Stuempfle Jr. (1993) in 8.7.8.7 D meter. Found in CW21 716, CWS 770, elw 720, lsb 856. Sung to FOREST GREEN.

This hymn emphasizes the apostolic foundation of the Church and the universal calling of all Christians to discipleship and witness, reflecting Lutheran understanding of vocation. The text proclaims both the privilege and responsibility of following Christ and participating in His missional work.

History & Background

Written by Herman G. Stuempfle Jr. in 1993 for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's worship resources, this contemporary hymn focuses on apostolic calling and discipleship. It was included in the ELW (2006) and subsequently in LSB (2006) as a hymn addressing the commissioning of the twelve disciples.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 716
  • Christian Worship: Supplement — 770
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 720
  • Lutheran Service Book — 856

Bulletin Note

Herman G. Stuempfle Jr. (1993). A contemporary hymn rooted in the Lutheran tradition of vocation, connecting the apostolic call to all believers' participation in Christ's missional work through Word and Sacrament.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's grace in Christ's calling and the Law's demand for costly, obedient witness, making it ideal to undergird preaching on vocation, apostolic succession, or the nature of Christian discipleship.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From contemplation of Christ's humble birth in obscurity to personal invitation for Christ's transformative indwelling; movement from historical event to soteriological application

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

LSB 856 (Hymn of the Day for St. Simon and St. Jude, Oct 28). Herman G. Stuempfle (1923–2007), raised in a Lutheran parsonage; parish pastor, author, seminary president and teacher of preaching, who began writing hymns only late in life, as another way to proclaim the Gospel, each 'triggered' by a Scripture passage. About 550 texts, more than half published, 15 of them in LSB; collections include The Word Goes Forth (1993), Redeeming the Time (1997), Awake Our Hearts to Praise (2000) and Wondrous Love Has Called Us (2006). Each of stanzas 1–4 pairs what Christ did with the Twelve with a prayer for us: called / grant us to hear; taught / instruct us; led / lead us; sent / send us, into 'ventures bold and new' and 'roads they'd never trod' (Acts 5, 12).

Sources: LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (Paul F. Becker).

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Sts. Simon and Jude

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Trinity 5 (2×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Epiphany 3 (4×)
  • Proper 9 (2×)
  • St. Barnabas (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Christian calling and discipleship Mission and witness Apostolic succession Gospel proclamation Faithfulness in service

Look Further