A Hymn for Hope in Christ

Our emphasis will be Hope in Christ for the next two years. Because of our hope in Christ, we will seek to be genuine in love, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer, and compassionate to all. Our watchword is found in Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (NIV).

In 1913, Fannie Heck (WMU, SBC president) wrote the women’s hymn “Come, Women, Wide Proclaim” set to the tune of the Italian Hymn published in 1769. If you are unfamiliar with the music, do a search online.

I took some of the elements of the emphasis and put them to words to update the hymn for potential use the next few years.

Ask a gifted musician to prepare special music for one of your meetings using the words to “Hope in Christ” provided below. You could very easily add the chorus of “The Solid Rock” (“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; / All other ground is sinking sand, / All other ground is sinking sand”) between each verse of “Hope in Christ” set to the Italian Hymn. You could also use this piece during your personal quiet time.

“Hope in Christ”

Tune: Italian Hymn
Tune of: Come, Thou Almighty King

Our Hope in Christ we proclaim
Devoted to His holy name
Our faith secure
His love extends worldwide
His Spirit is our guide
In Him we shall abide
Our hope is sure.

We will be genuine in love
Just like our Father above
Patient and kind
Showing we really care
For people everywhere
Being constant in prayer
Our hearts aligned.

Patient in trials we’ll be
Till our Redeemer shall we see
Led by His hand
Working in one accord
Serving our risen Lord
Heaven we’re moving toward
That fair-er land.

Our Hope in Christ we proclaim
Devoted to His holy name
His praise repeat
We’re vessels of His grace
With courage take our place
Share Christ with every race
Our task to complete.

Father,
Our hope is in Christ. Help us to be genuine in love, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer, and compassionate to all.
In Jesus’ name, amen.