Come, Imagine Life Together

Based on a new hymn text by Stephen P. Starke, this concertato by Benjamin M. Culli is broad and stately, with a grand epic feel and a trumpet tune in the style of Purcell. It can be used with or without congregation, and the extended introduction can be shortened. The text has themes of unity and the Church and is appropriate for any time during Church Year.

Come, imagine life together,
Far beyond what we’ve conceived,
Urged by love to live lives worthy
Of the calling we’ve received:
Ever patient, gently caring,
God’s beloved family,
Each forgiven and forgiving
In the Spirit’s unity.

One in body, one in Spirit,
One in hope, one Lord of all,
One in faith, one God and Father,
One our blest baptismal call;
One our Savior in Christ Jesus,
Ours His blood-bought victory,
Ours His Spirit-sealed redemption—
His our praise eternally.

We in Christ are God’s pure household,
No more strangers but God’s own,
Built on prophets and apostles,
Christ Himself our Cornerstone;
We His Church, a living temple,
Reaching upward, pointing toward
Our true home, where angel hosts sing,
“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord!”

Till God calls us home to glory,
Till our Savior we adore,
We on earth with saints in heaven
Are one Church forevermore.
We in love are bound together,
Joined in mystic unity:
We by faith now see our Savior;
They by sight their Savior see.

Now to Alpha and Omega,
The beginning and the end,
May our praise and prayers like incense,
To His throne of grace ascend.
“Amen! Come, O come, Lord Jesus!”
Is the Bride’s and Spirit’s call;
Until Christ returns in glory,
May His grace be with us all!

Copyright © 2012 Stephen P. Starke; administered by Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.