ANNIVERSARY HYMN

Our 100th Anniversary hymn, "As Stone on Living Stone Is set," picks up on our anniversary theme - "Our Hope for Years to Come" by both thanking God for His grace for 100 years and looking to the future of proclaiming His works of salvation in Christ Jesus.

HYMN TEXT AND TUNE:

Lisa M. Clark, a daughter of Hope congregation, wrote the text, and Kevin Hildebrand, kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, composed the new tune, appropriately named NEOSHO, after the street on which we have been located for all 100 years. Lisa Clark also wrote this dedication to the hymn: "In thankfulness to God for 100 years of granting His grace through Hope Ev. Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri." 

Listen to "As Stone on Living Stone Is Set," sung by Hope's Schola Cantorum.

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HYMN LYRICS:

1. As stone on living stone is set
    For worship on this ground,
    Hold fast onto the Cornerstone,
    The one foundation sound.
    Held firm through generations
    With God’s own power shored.
    In ages past, for years to come,
    Our hope is in the Lord.

2. Now we approach this holy place
    With confidence secure;
    The Lamb of God has cleansed our hearts
    And made our spirits pure.
    The sacrifice completed,
    His holy blood outpoured.
    O people, come and marvel here
    What love Christ will afford.

3. When steeples fall and bells are mute
    And temple stones thrown down,
    We waver not but trust in Him
    Who wears th’ eternal crown.
    The Church awaits with longing
    For all to be restored.
    Though ruins lie about her feet,
    Our King is still adored.

4. Bear witness to the nations, then.
    The Day is drawing near.
    In full assurance, spread the Word.
    I love, serve without fear.
    Though persecution threatens,
    The Word of God abhorred,
    The faithful One is coming soon
    And gives His sure reward.

5. No church or temple will be seen
    When saints and angels meet.
    The Church Triumphant will bow down
    And worship at Christ’s feet.
    Prepare all hearts and voices
    To praise in joyful chord:
    “In ages past and evermore,
    Our hope is in the Lord!”

(Text: Lisa M. Clark, © 2015 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Music: Kevin Hildebrand, © 2015 Kevin Hildebrand. Used by permission. Audio Recording: Matthew Janssen © 2016 Hope Ev. Lutheran Church.)