only help my unbelief

“God Is Here!”

I visited First Presbyterian Church of Columbia this morning for the first time in a long time. This was what the choir sang during the offertory.

“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!”