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They Did Not Build in Vain
Composer Alfred V. Fedak
Text Alan Luff
Voicing SATB and organ
Topics Anniversary, Church Dedication, Pentecost
Length 3' 20" Price $1.75(U.S.) Released 3/02
Catalog no. 415-101 Difficulty Mod. easy
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 Description
Perfect for church dedications and anniversaries, this sturdy hymn-anthem employs a prize-winning text by Alan Luff. Its third stanza also makes the piece appropriate for use at Pentecost, the "birthday of the church."
Text
They did not build in vain who founded here a church
as witness to God's love amid a world of pain;
they built upon the rock that is the risen Lord,
the one foundation laid that stands each earthly shock.
Those who have loved this place, a cloud of witnesses,
surround and urge us on as we now run our race;
though the horizon's bend conceals the way ahead,
the footprints on the road show Christ waits at the end.
In every place our world is storm and tempest tossed,
the flames of fear and hate are evil's flags unfurled;
yet still the Spirit's power in wind and fire of love
pours gifts upon the church for service in this hour.
Make this the meeting place where doubt finds grounds of faith,
where hurt finds healing love, our penitence your grace;
where God in Trinity is bridge from death to life,
from sin to holiness, time to eternity.
--Alan Luff
© 1990 Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, Ill. 60188 (for permission to reprint this text contact Hope at 800.323.1049-www.hopepublishing.com). All rights reserved. |
