God Is Here

God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit, here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech,
Here in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome in the shepherd's flock and fold;
Here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt,
Keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day's dedication, all we have to give, receive;
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!

Text: Fred Pratt Green (1978)
Tune: ABBOTT'S LEIGH 87.87D, by Cyril V. Taylor (1941)