A few years ago, I was attending a small, conservative, Christian school, I got to enjoy the experience of singing and acting in the annual musical play. Our most memorable performance (for me, at least) was a matinee one Saturday for some of the area senior citizens. After the show, we brought the lights up, and the entire cast came out for a brief "getting to know you" session, where cast members got to answer questions from the audience. One of the seniors asked a one of the lead characters how we all got to sing so well. She replied that most of had grown up singing acapella hymns in church services. Another audience member requested we sing something for them. This is the song we chose, and sang it from memory, with our hearts.
"Our God, He Is Alive" by A.W. Dicus
1. There is, beyond the azure blue,
A God, concealed from human sight,
He tinted skies with heavenly hue,
And framed the worlds with His great might.
(Chorus)
2. There was, a long, long time ago,
A God, whose voice the prophets heard,
He is the God that we should know,
Who speaks from His inspired word.
(Chorus)
3. Secure is life from mortal mind,
God holds the germ within His hand,
Though men may search they can not find,
For God alone does understand
(Chorus)
4. Our God, whose Son upon a tree,
A life was willing there to give,
That He from sin might set man free,
And evermore with Him could live.
Chorus:
(bass lead, others echo)
There is a God,(There is a God)
He is alive, (He is alive)
In Him we live, (In Him we live)
And we survive,
(soprano lead, others echo)
And we survive,
From dust our God (From dust our God)
Created man (Created man)
He is our God (He is our God)
The great I AM (The great I AM)
...the building resonated with our voices for a moment, then the audience eased into hearty, appreciative applause. We didn't have an altar call or pass the collection plate, we just savored the moment, and made a memory. (and who knows, maybe an impression!)