Moravian Book of Worship ‎#631

631. Church, Rejoice!

1 Church, rejoice!
Raise your voice,
sing Jehovah’s worthy praise;
extol his name forever;
laud him, our God and Savior;
proclaim to ev'ry nation
the tidings of salvation;
bear the witness
to his greatness;
spread the story
of his glory
to the earth’s remotest bounds.

2 Church, unite
for the right;
let your foes behold your stand;
rebuke them for their error;
inspire with hope and fervor;
declare the Savior’s merit
and how the Holy Spirit
by his power,
ev'ry hour,
will direct us
and protect us
in a world of sin and strife.

3 Church, go forth
o’er the earth;
Christ, your head, has hallowed you,
a chosen bride forever,
adorned now for our Savior;
be strong and be not cheerless,
and may your saints be fearless;
in all places,
with all races,
may that story
of his glory
be the hope of all the world.

Text Information

• First Line: Church, rejoice!
• Title: Church, Rejoice!
• Author (stanza 1): Johann D. Herrnschmidt, 1675-1723 (alt.)
• Author (st. 2, 3): Russell G. Holder (1939)
• Meter: 3.3.7.7.7.7.7.4.4.4.4.7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Scripture:
  Colossians 1:18-29
• Topic: Spread of the Gospel; Church--Unity

Tune Information

• Name: CHURCH, REJOICE!
• Composer: Georg Joseph (1657, alt.)
• Meter: 3.3.7.7.7.7.7.4.4.4.4.7.
• Key: A♭ Major
• Source: C. Gregor Choralbuch (1784)
• Notes: 225 A in 1891 Offices of Worship and Hymns