Author: Samuel J. Stone Hymnal: CGH2010 #246 (2010) Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Tune Title: AURELIA First Line: The church's one foundation Lyrics: 1 The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is His new creation by water and the Word;
from heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride,
with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
2 Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
3 Though with a scornful wonder we see her oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed;
yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, “How long?”
and soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
4 'Mid toil and tribulation and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation of peace forevermore;
till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest,
and Christ's great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
5 Yet she on earth has union with God, the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won;
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee. Topics: The Church as Community Identity; Church Languages: English
The Church's One Foundation