This is a worship chorus, petitioning for unity in the church as people praise God. The words are based on Isaiah 43:21 and Ephesians 2:21-22.
It was written by English evangelical pastor Dave Richards (b. 1947) during a house-church worship service in 1975. During 1970 / 80s, it became an anthem throughout the British New Church Movement, and it appears to have become popular again in the early-mid 21st century.
The song was first published by Kingsway's Thankyou Music in 1977. It has been translated to languages including Indonesian - Aku Membangun Umat Perkasa (source)
It was written by English evangelical pastor Dave Richards (b. 1947) during a house-church worship service in 1975. During 1970 / 80s, it became an anthem throughout the British New Church Movement, and it appears to have become popular again in the early-mid 21st century.
The song was first published by Kingsway's Thankyou Music in 1977. It has been translated to languages including Indonesian - Aku Membangun Umat Perkasa (source)
Hymn-books where it has been published in include:
It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Richards. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of C, the first few notes of the melody are EF G EC c BA AG G_ with accompanying chords C / F / C.
- Scripture in Song, Volume II, Songs of the Kingdom, Scripture in Song, New Zealand 1981
- Church Family Worship, Jubilate Hymns, England 1988
- Celebration Hymnal for Everyone, 1994, McCrimmon Publications
- Songs of Fellowship I, Kingsway Music Ltd, England, 1995
- Complete Mission Praise, Marshall Pickering, London, England 1999
- Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New, Kevin Mayhew Ltd, England, 2000
- Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.), Kevin Mayhew Ltd, England, 2008
- CPWI Hymnal, The Church in the Province of the West Indies, St John, Barbados, 2010
These books are the best places to get sheet-music for the song today.
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Image adapt. from Wikimedia - CC 2.0 ASA |
Downloads
This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).Examples
Singer with piano:
Singer with piano:
Church choir with band, live in a service:
Lead-singer with band and audience - country style:
Worship group with band, words on-screen, professional recording:
Singer with band, jazz version:
Large folk-group with band:
Singer with ukulele, acoustic:
Instrumental - brass band:
Instrumental - organ, with words on-screen:
Lyrics
The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:For I'm building a people of power,
And I'm making a people of praise
That will move through this land by My Spirit,
And will glorify My precious name.
Build Your church, Lord, make us strong, Lord,
Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son.
Make us one, Lord, in Your body,
In the kingdom of Your Son.
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