TLH 477: LORD JESUS, THOU THE CHURCH'S HEAD

Communion of Saints -- Organ Audio

1. Lord Jesus, Thou the Church's Head,
Thou art her one Foundation;
In Thee she trusts, before Thee bows,
And waits for Thy salvation.
Built on this Rock secure,
Thy Church shall endure
E'en though the world decay
And all things pass away.
Oh, hear, oh, hear us, Jesus!

2. O Lord, let this Thy little flock,
Thy name alone confessing,
Continue in Thy loving care,
True unity possessing.
Thy Sacraments, O Lord,
And Thy saving Word
To us e'er pure retain.
Grant that they may remain
Our only strength and comfort.

3. Help us to serve Thee evermore
With hearts both pure and lowly;
And may Thy Word, that light divine,
Shine on in splendor holy
That we repentance show,
In faith ever grow;
The power of sin destroy
And all that doth annoy.
Oh, make us faithful Christians!

4. And for Thy Gospel let us dare
To sacrifice all treasure;
Teach us to bear Thy blessed cross,
To find in Thee all pleasure.
Oh, grant us steadfastness
In joy and distress,
That we Thee ne'er forsake.
Let us by grace partake
Of endless joy and glory.



Text from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
Notes from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
Hymn #477
Text: Col. 2:10
Author: Johann Mentzer, 1726, cento
Translated by: William J. Schaefer, 1938
Titled: "O Jesu, einig wahres Haupt"
Composer: Fritz Reuter, 1916
Tune: "Reuter"