The New English Hymnal ‎#483

483. The Church of God a kingdom is

1 THE Church of God a kingdom is,
Where Christ in power doth reign,
Where spirits yearn till seen in bliss
Their Lord shall come again.

2 Glad companies of saints possess
This Church below, above;
And God’s perpetual calm doth bless
Their paradise of love.

3 An altar stands within the shrine
Whereon, once sacrificed,
Is set, immaculate, divine,
The Lamb of God, the Christ.

4 There rich and poor, from countless lands,
Praise Christ on mystic rood;
There nations reach forth holy hands
To take God’s holy food.

5 There pure life-giving streams o’erflow
The sower’s garden-ground;
And faith and hope fair blossoms show,
And fruits of love abound.

6 O King, O Christ, this endless grace
To us and all men bring,
To see the vision of thy face
In joy, O Christ, our King.

Text Information

• First Line: The Church of God a kingdom is
• Author: Lionel Muirhead, 1845-1925
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Church: Its Mission and Unity; Advent; Ember Days; Ordination
• Notes: Alternative tune UNIVERSITY 77

Tune Information

• Name: CAPEL
• Meter: CM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: English Traditional Carol
• Copyright: By permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")