I have another new hymn that has been recently published on the General Board of Discipleship Worship website. It is entitled "I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me" and it is joined by a tune and arrangement written by my old friend, and wonderful musician, Jana Euler Gimenez.It is based on Psalm 122 and would be wonderful for opening worship or for a special occasion such as a new building or congregational anniversary. It was originally composed for the 25th anniversary of the Unity Church, which Jana was attending in Boston.
The tune and arrangement with text may be found at I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me.
The lyrics are:
I was glad when they said unto me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord,"
Where our people are gathered in thanks and praise,
Giving thanks in the name of the Lord always,
Giving thanks in the name of the Lord.
For we come, bound together as one,
Many gifts, many tribes to the throne,
For our feet are now standing within your gates,
And we offer ourselves out of thanks and praise,
And we offer our gifts out of thanks.
For the peace of the city we sing,
For Jerusalem, city of God,
For the sake of God's family everywhere,
Peace without, peace within as we serve and care,
Peace without, peace within as we serve.
As we gather on faith's holy ground,
We become a communion of saints,
For this house is a place where a home is made,
And our lives a reflection of Christ, we pray,
And our lives a reflection of Christ.
Copyright 1995 Stephen P. West, all rights reserved
