Raney - "Surely the Presence" (St. John's Methodist - Kansas City, MO)

INTROIT "Surely the Presence"
(words and music by Lanny Wolfe, 1977)
Chancel Choir and Congregation in a setting by Joel Raney, 2010;
Dale Morehouse, pianist and conductor
St. John's Methodist - Kansas City, MO
May 29, 2022
This morning’s introit by our good friend Joel Raney is a genuine celebration of what it means to be a worshiping church, with tributes of praise to God, Christ the King, and the Holy Spirit. He asks the congregation to join in singing the beloved hymn by Lanny Wolfe (b. 1942), a versatile musician, singer, music educator, and prolific composer whose musical style is a unique blend of Southern Gospel, folk, and the musical interpretation common in many black churches.
Wolfe wrote the words Of “Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this Place” in Columbus, Mississippi, at a dedication service of a new church in 1977. Recalling this moment, he says that he remembered Jacob’s dream of a ladder with angels ascending to and descending from heaven: “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not” (Gen 28:16, KJV). His inspiration transformed that verse into this hymn. Hearing chord progressions that he normally did not use, Lanny took a leap of faith and taught the song to his trio onstage, and then invited the congregation to join! We hope you will join us with equal enthusiasm.
Rejoice, O church of God, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Rejoice in the glory of God, in the cross of Christ, our King.
Rejoice in the power of God, rejoice in the majesty of God,
Rejoice in the love of God, rejoice in the holy presence of God.
Congregation joins and sings twice:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place:
I can feel God’s mighty power and God’s grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings,
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Take this church and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take our hands and let them move at the impulse of your love.
Surely the love of God is in this place:
We can sense the Holy Spirit and the wonder of God’s grace.
And our hearts are overflowing with the fullness of God’s joy,
And we feel the holy presence,
Yes, we feel the holy presence of the Lord.
Rejoice, O church of God, rejoice, give thanks and sing.