The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the word… Oh, blessed heav’nly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace, that we, like saints before us, may see you face to face!
– ELW #654
This hymn by the prolific hymn writer Samuel Wesley (brother of Charles Wesley) has graced many significant worship services in my life – ordination & installations particularly. It holds words that spring to mind when I hear this Sunday’s Gospel, where Jesus says to Simon Peter in response to his confession of faith, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church.” Theologians and Biblical scholars disagree whether Jesus is building his church on Peter or on Peter’s confession. I tend to fall with those who believe the latter because our foundation is Jesus Christ – Lord of the church & Lord of us all.
When I sing the words of that hymn, I can’t help but think of the confessions of so many saints who have confessed their faith in Christ that make the foundation of my own faith so strong – parents and grandparents, siblings and children, seminary professors and youth ministers, friends and strangers… and so many of YOU! Thank you for the way you are being church where you are and the way you have been the church for me!