In his book 40 Favorite Hymns on the Christian Life, Leland Ryken says, "Much of the beauty that we experience when we sing hymns is the beauty of the music. Experiencing hymns as poems puts the focus on the verbal beauty of the words and phrases."

Using Ryken's book as a jumping off point, I am inviting us to read and study together some great hymns on the Christian life. At the beginning of each week, I will send out the hymn along with some Scripture readings and questions to ponder. I encourage you to take some time daily to read and meditate on the hymn during your quiet time with God. I encourage you to post the hymn where you can read it during the day.

Whether you are joining us for in person worship, worshipping with us online or worshipping at home with family, it is great to know we will be studying the same Scriptures and hymns together.

Sunday June 28th The Church's One Foundation Ephesians 2:11-22; Ephesians 4:1-6

Questions to Ponder:

1. Allister McGrath says, "To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe in and belong to a dynamic community that spans the centuries." The Greek word ekklesia, used in the New Testament to refer to the church, denotes not a building but a group of people.

Discuss how you would respond to a person making this statement: "I think somebody can be a good Christian without being a part of the church."

2. Verse 2 uses the word "one" seven times! What are some practical ways we Christians can be one with all believers?

3. A question from Allister McGrath: "What are your attitudes toward Christians who belong to denominations different from yours? Which aspects of your beliefs and their beliefs feel most divisive, and which fell most unifying?"

4. While we can confidently know the church will survive, we see turmoil in the church. What threatens the unity of the church both inside the body and outside the body?

5. Why do people join a church? What are the good things about being part of the body of Christ? What does it mean to you to be a part of the body of Christ, the church?

The Church's One Foundation by Samuel J Stone

Based on article 9 of the Apostles' Creed

1. The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;

she is his new creation by water and the Word:

from heav'n he came and sought her to be his holy bride;

with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.

2. Elect from ev'ry nation, yet one o'er all the earth,

her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth;

one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,

and to one hope she presses, with ev'ry grace endued.

3. Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed,

by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,

yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, "How long?"

And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.

4. The church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend,

to guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end;

though there be those that hate her, and false sons in her pale,

against or foe or traitor she ever shall prevail.

5. 'Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her way,

she waits the consummation of peace forevermore;

till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest,

and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.

6. Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One,

and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won;

oh, happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,

like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.