The Crescent Hill Hymn

The CHBC Logo Hanging in the Birchwood LobbyThe lyrics of the Crescent Hill Hymn, written by Paul Duke and Grady Nutt in 1981, continue to inspire and define our congregation. In many respects, we see ourselves as community that comes together in faith to celebrate God's blessings in our lives and to support one another despite unforeseen turmoil and hardship.

The hymn also has given shape to one of the images with which we frequently associate our congregation. The chi rho, one of the earliest images used by Christians that superimposes the first two letters in the Greek spelling of the word Christ, embedded on the sail of a ship reminds us that Christ's presence remains with us no matter where we journey.

We, O God, unite our voices, raised in thankful praise to Thee.
Thou, unchanging, safe hath brought us through the everchanging sea.
Days of calm and days of conflict, nights of darkness prove Thy grace.
Hands beneath us, arms around us, and, above, Thy shining face.

Praise for saints whose love has stirred us, friends who taught our hearts to sing,
From their laughter, love, and anguish, hope will never cease to ring.
Mercy met us in their faces, glory, in their faithfulness.
As they lit the way before us, so may we the future bless.

Seeing then the task before us bind our hearts and hands as one.
May our labor be in union, our resolve and Thine be one.
With one spirit let us labor toward the bright horizon far.
In the midst of tempest peril be Thy cross our guiding star.

Not our choice the wind's direction, unforeseen the calm or gale.
Thy great ocean swells before us, and our ship seems small and frail.
Fierce and gleaming is Thy myst'ry drawing us to shores unknown:
Plunge us on with hope and courage 'til Thy harbor is our home.

Words: Paul Duke and Grady Nutt, 1981
Music: Rowland H. Prichard, harm. from English Hymnal
Tune: Hyfrydol 8.7.8.7.D