Scripture References:
st. 1 = Phil. 4:7
st. 2 = Rom. 12:1
This text is a fitting confession for Christians who must leave the comfortable pew and venture into God's world. The text of stanza I says that we go out to serve, "to work in church and kingdom," under God's protection and with God's blessing of peace. In stanza 2 author Cornelius (Cor) Wm. Barendrecht (b. The Hague, the Netherlands, 1934) quotes from the Heidelberg Catechism (Q&A 32) to say that serving God is a whole-life act of worship, "a living sacrifice."
Also quoting New Testament phrases, poet Barendrecht wrote this unrhymed verse text, his first hymn, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1975. Educated at Grand Valley State University and Calvin College, both in Grand Rapids, Barendrecht is a writer and has served as editor for several Christian publications. He was cofounder and editor of the
Christian literary magazine For the Time Being (1970-1978) and is currently director of business and communication of the Grand Rapids Area Ministries and editor of Grace Notes.
Liturgical Use:
As a parting hymn at the close of worship.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1987
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