"Thus Says the Lord, Our God"

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"Thus Says the Lord, Our God"

Paraphrase of Isaiah 43:1-7

Baptism of the Lord | Year C

Below is a hymn that I recently composed that was inspired by the words of Isaiah 43:1-7, the Old Testament lectionary text for Baptism of the Lord Sunday (Year C) - January 10th, 2015.

It is dedicated to my dear friend, Rev. Joseph Taber, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lowell, North Carolina on the event of his 29th birthday.

It is sung to the tune, ENGELBERG, (10.10.10.4) which is commonly used to sing the hymn "We Know That Christ is Raised."

Click here for a PDF of the hymn.

Permission is given to use in congregational worship with the following credit:  "Copyright 2015, Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com"

Thus says the Lord, our God, our all in all:
Fear not, my people; heed redemption’s call,
you are my children, saved from ev’ry fall.  
Alleluia!

I call you by your name and you are mine.
No more can death embrace you; light will shine,
for you are fruit of my enduring vine.  
Alleluia!

Though waters threaten you and fear surrounds;
my love will strengthen you, my grace abounds;
go forth with courage for salvation sounds.
Alleluia!

So precious are you in my sight, my child,
You go protected though the fire be wild,
Untouched by flame, you now are reconciled.
Alleluia!  

Thus says the Lord, our God:  with you I’ll go.
the saving waters from the font will flow
and give you cause to laugh and faith to grow.
Alleluia!

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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.