We the Lord’s people
In each generation throughout history God has raised up poets and musicians who have given us hymns reflective of our time and place. Hymnody throughout the ages has helped us sing the whole story of our faith. Even if you don’t fancy yourself a singer, I encourage you to pick up the hymnal and follow along with the texts and tunes we sing, for it could be a step to a deeper relationship with Christ.
Sunday’s communion hymn is a concise statement of purpose for why we gather each Sunday for worship. It’s text, written by Canon John Edward Bowers, reflects an often-used teaching device in the 1960’s and 1970’s in the Church of England: “The Lord’s People in the Lord’s House on the Lord’s Day for the Lord’s Service.” The tune (one of my favorites) was written by the former long-time organist at the National Cathedral, Richard Wayne Dirksen. Dirksen changed the rhythm to his tune INISFREE FARM (“Christ mighty Savior” – one of my top five) and named it DECATUR PLACE, after the street in Northwest Washington D.C. where Dirksen’s predecessor, Paul Callaway, lived.
This hymn is a great reminder of the importance of worship and that it is the absolute center of what we do. The primary reason for our community. In times when I find it much easier to put other things before my own and my children’s faith and worship practices, I appreciate such hymns that help me refocus on that which is important to the Christian way of life.
We sing to be transformed and because we are transformed people in Christ. As you sing or read this text, I hope you not only find it a reminder of the centrality and importance of our worship, but truly transformational. I get excited just reading it, let alone singing it. The beautiful word pairings, the unfolding theology, the tune which beautifully carries the weight of text…this is good and exciting stuff, my friends! Perhaps your reaction won’t be the same as mine, but may this hymn remind you of the beauty of our Christian faith and worship, the excitement of doing God’s work together, and the centrality of God’s all-embracing love and the sacraments we share together in our worship. God is indeed good! How can we not come together and give praise?
We the Lord’s people,
heart and voice uniting,
praise him who called us
out of sin and darkness
into his own light,
that he might anoint us
a royal priesthood.
This is the Lord’s house,
home of all his people,
school for the faithful,
refuge for the sinner,
rest for the pilgrim,
haven for the weary;
all find a welcome.
This is the Lord’s day,
day of God’s own making,
day of creation,
day of resurrection,
day of the Spirit,
sign of heaven’s banquet,
day for rejoicing.
In the Lord’s service
bread and wine are offered,
that Christ may take them,
bless them, break and give them
to all his people,
his own life imparting,
food everlasting.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Dr. Ben Keseley, Minister of Music
Text reprinted with permission. Onelicense.net A-717214