Jesus Is Our King

Hymn Information

First Line: Create in us, O God
Author: Sherrell Prebble · Howard Clark
Tune Name: POST GREEN
Composer: Sherrell Prebble
Topic: Church Year: Christ the King · Evangelism · Praise of Christ · Trinity · Unity in Christ · Elements of Worship: Praise and Adoration · Elements of Worship: Lord's Supper

Copyright Information

Text Copyright

Tune Copyright

Reprint/Projection Information

Words and Music: Permitted with a license from CCLI.com or from OneLicense.net. If you do not own one of these licenses, please contact the copyright holder for permission.

Scripture References

Psalm 51:10
·
Romans 5:1-2

Further Reflections on Scripture References

This joyful text covers the whole worship service: We approach God in humility, wishing to proclaim God’s majesty (st. 1). We see God’s presence in Jesus, whose name we bear and in whom we are justified (st. 2). We proclaim the mystery of Christ’s body: incarnate, crucified, resurrected, and present at the table (st. 3). Finally, we invoke the Holy Spirit, who makes us one and sends us out into the world.

Sing! A New Creation

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

What we know as the attributes of God reveal his character and being. For these, he is worthy of praise and adoration. Even before he says or does anything, he is praise-worthy. The opening words of Belgic Confession, Article 1 declare that God is “eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.”

The Lord’s Prayer ends with a doxology, and Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 52, Question and Answer 128 extrapolates: “Your holy name…should receive all the praise, forever.” After expressing our trust in the total care of God for all things, Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 9, Question and Answer 26 declares, “God is able to do this because he is Almighty God and desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.” And so we express our praise and adoration to God for who he is.

This song contains a unique phrase in stanza 3 that the Lamb “teaches us by bread and wine the mystery of his body…” referencing the Lord’s Supper. Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 29, Question and Answer 79, reflects on the mystery associated with the body and blood of Christ: “…he wants to assure us, by this visible sign and pledge, that we, through the Holy Spirit’s work, share in his true body and blood as surely as our mouths receive these holy signs in his remembrance, and that all of his suffering and obedience are as definitely ours as if we personally had suffered and made satisfaction for our sins.”

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Jesus Is Our King

Call to Worship

Jesus prayed that we, the church, would be one,

just as he and the Father are one.

Today we offer our praise and prayer together,

as one body, in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In harmony, let us glorify God—Father, Son, and Spirit.

— Worship Sourcebook Edition Two

Confession

Triune God,

we praise you as the God of love and life.

Though Jesus prayed that we would be one,

we confess that we fail to live in unity with each other and with you.

We break our communion through hostile words and unkind actions.

We long for your Spirit to heal us and to correct us.

We long for you to help us experience communion

with you and with each other

as we gather around your Word [and table].

Even now, dependent on your grace, we commit ourselves

to live more fully in the unity you desire.

Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

— Worship Sourcebook Edition Two

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Jesus Is Our King

Tune Information

Name: POST GREEN
Key: E♭ Major
Meter: 8.9.8.5 stanzas irregular

Recordings

Woodlawn Ave CRC - Grand Rapids, MI

Musical Suggestion

The melody is strong, accessible, and memorable. The highest note on the words “majesty,” “calm our fear,” “bread and wine,” and “redeeming love” gives singers a chance to soar on those key phrases. Choose a joyful, steady tempo; the refrain may want to feel faster, but the stanzas need the space.

— Sing! A New Creation

Consider adding American Sigh Language on the Refrain for the words Alleluia, Opening, Hearts, Jesus, and King.

— Sing! A New Creation

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Jesus Is Our King

Hymn Story/Background

This hymn is a collaborative effort between two members of the Community of Celebration, known for new worship music since their Fisherfolk recordings in the 1970s. The community was first based in Houston, Texas, at the Church of the Redeemer, where Sherrell Prebell spent her teen years. Howard Page-Clark joined the community when it moved to England. About this song, Prebbell wrote, “In the late ‘70s our community in England was engaged in theological study about power, politics, and the love of God. Howard Page-Clark approached me with some words he had written which we rewrote together and I put to music.” The Community of Celebration is now located in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. (www.communityofcelebration.com).

— Sing! A New Creation