‘And God Will Lead Us On’
In order to mark the transition of the Church from the former Baptist Chapel to Edith Kempson House, several members of the congregation composed a special song between 2006-2009, which was then recorded. The final lyrics of the song were emended after it had been recorded in order to reflect the completion of the building project.
Two hundred years in Oxford; a seed planted in hope
Is now a church united in vision, peace and scope.
The faithful prayers of others, resources shared and blessed
Have seen us through some dark times of discouragement and test.
With numbers slowly falling; a building in decline
God fed our hearts with purpose made real in bread and wine.
Repair of ruined cities, sites desolate restored,
Were pictures given power by the Spirit of the Lord.
God has brought us to this place, given hope, encouragement;
In dark times he gave us strength; and he will lead us on!
Patient waiting, urgent prayer, a legacy in hand;
A seeking of God’s purpose led to buying fallow land.
New glimpses of the future, new conversations shared
With English Churches Housing Group; new challenges to be dared.
The planning process hampered by design or by delay
The go-ahead was given on a great October day.
A building’s demolition, eight flats put up instead
To house new friends and neighbours, and the apple tree was dead!
God has brought us to this place, given hope, encouragement;
In dark times he gave us strength; and he will lead us on!
Believing in God’s faithfulness, committed to the core
We left the chapel building and knocked on Emmanuel’s door.
Our future is unfolding, God’s grace has led to growth
In friends; a new community of faith and love and hope.
God has brought us to this place, given hope, encouragement;
In dark times he gave us strength; and he will lead us on!