God of our salvation,

we rejoice that in you there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,

male or female, for we all belong as one in Christ Jesus.

We praise you for the evidence of that unity in

the church of past generations . . .

the church of all places . . .

the cooperation between missionaries . . .

the corporate work of the churches in this community . . .

our baptisms, which make us a part of your body, the church . . .

As one body we lift our common prayers

for creation and its care . . .

for the nations of the world . . .

for our nation and its leaders . . .

for this community and those in authority . . .

for the church universal as it works on your behalf . . .

for this local church in its ministry . . .

for persons with particular needs . . .

We pray this in the name of the one God and Father of all,

who is above all and through all and in all. Amen.

—based on Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:6

Consider the following suggestion for use with children:

Though in a minor key, this is a lively song of celebration. It can be sung slowly or more quickly, or it may accelerate as you sing it between these two tempos. The authentic accompaniment style is a very simple “oom-pah” (bass chord) pattern, making use of piano, guitars, and unpitched percussion, like a tambourine. Sing in parts, or in unison with the alternate accompaniment provided here. 

Composer, conductor, and teacher Alice Parker (b. Boston, Massachusetts, December 16, 1925) says that she sang before she spoke. What an appropriate beginning for a career that has spanned almost six decades and has been devoted to the creation of works for the human voice.

She began composing at the age of five, and wrote her first orchestral score while still in high school. At Smith College and the Julliard School, she studied composition and conducting, beginning her long association with Robert Shaw. Their many settings of American folk songs, hymns, and spirituals form an enduring repertoire for choruses all around the world. Through the years she has continued composing in all the choral forms from opera to cantata, from sacred anthems to songs on texts by distinguished poets. She has been commissioned by such well-known groups as Chanticleer, the Vancouver Chamber Singers, and the Atlanta Symphony, as well as hundreds of community, school, and church choruses.

Now a resident of western Massachusetts, Alice Parker has published books on melodic styles, choral improvisation, and "Good Singing in Church." Three videos have been released showing her work with hymnody. She is the recipient of four honorary doctorates and the Smith College Medal, as well as grants from ASCAP, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the American Music Center. She is on the board of Chorus America.