Let trumpets sound!

I just got back from the service for installation of Dr. Josh Moody as senior pastor of College Church. It was a joyous occasion! The sanctuary was so packed out with people that my friend Donna and I were ushered to the very front row, just a few feet from Dr D.A. Carson who preached. It sent chills down my spine to hear what must have been more than a thousand Christians praising God through song. We sang The Church's One Foundation (which has been one of my favorites for several years), Great is Thy Faithfulness, and a hymn by Timothy Dudley-Smith that has become a new favorite. It's glorious.


Rejoice in God! Let trumpets sound
In witness to the world around
His faithfulness proclaim;
Who led His people by the hand
And brought them to their promised land
That all on earth should understand
The greatness of his Name.

Rejoice in God, the God of grace,
And come with thanks before His face
For all His tender care;
Whose mercy meets us in our need,
Whose word of life is life indeed,
On whom, in Christ, our spirits feed,
Who loves to answer prayer.

Rejoice in God whose only Son
A fallen world's salvation won
And broke the sinner's chain.
He came in love to seek and save
When for us all His life he gave,
And then from cross and death and grave
Triumphant rose again.

Rejoice in God, and for Him build
A living temple, Spirit filled,
Of everlasting worth;
A church united, true and strong,
Where all who love the Lord belong,
And find in Him their strength and song,
The joy of all the earth.

Rejoice in God! Your voices raise
In honour, blessing, love and praise
To His eternal throne;
That ev'ry heart, with one accord,
And ev'ry tongue may tell abroad
The loving kindness of the Lord,
and make His glory known.