How Lovely is Your Church, O Lord!

How lovely is your church, O Lord,
Where we can sing and pray;
One day within your courts is more
Than thousands far away.

Within these walls we come to know
Your grace, so undeserved!
For at the table Christ knelt low
To be the one who served.

You give your Spirit’s blessings here
Then send us from this place
To challenge hatred, greed, and fear
With gifts of love and grace.

At times we’re filled with troubling doubt:
“I’m old!” “I’m young!” “I’m weak!”
Yet you who sent the prophets out
Will give us words to speak.

How lovely is your church, O Lord,
When we are serving you!
For when we serve the lost and poor,
Your love is shining through.

Source: Songs of Grace: new hymns for God and neighbor #52