>>> Preamble

1. As followers of Jesus Christ,[1]
living in this world—
which some seek to control,
but which others view with despair—[2]
we declare with joy and trust:
Our world belongs to God![3]

[1 Ps. 103:19-22]
[2 Ps. 4:6]
[3 Ps. 24:1]

2.
From the beginning,[1]
through all the crises of our times,
until his kingdom fully comes,[2]
God keeps covenant forever.
Our world belongs to him![3]
God is King! Let the earth be glad!
Christ is Victor; his rule has begun. Hallelujah!
The Spirit is at work, renewing the creation. Praise the
Lord!

[1 Ps. 145]
[2 Rom. 11:33-36]
[3 Rev. 4-5]

3.
But rebel cries sound through the world:[1]
some, crushed by failure
or hardened by pain,
give up on life and hope and God;
others, shaken,
but still hoping for human triumph,[2]
work feverishly to realize their dreams.[3]
As believers in God
we join this struggle of the spirits,
testing our times by the Spirit's sure Word.

[1 Ps. 2]
[2 Eph. 6:10-18]
[3 1 John]

4.
Our world has fallen into sin;
but rebellion and sin can never dethrone God.[1]
He does not abandon the work of his hand;
the heavens still declare his glory.
He preserves his world,
sending seasons, sun, and rain,[2]
upholding his creatures,
renewing the earth,
directing all things to their purpose.
He promised a Savior;
now the whole creation groans[3]
in the birth pangs of a new creation.

[1 Ps. 19]
[2 Acts 14:15-17]
[3 Rom. 8:18-25]

5.
God holds this world[1]
in sovereign love.
He kept his promise,
sending Jesus into the world.
He poured out his Spirit[2]
and broadcast the news
that sinners who repent and believe in Jesus[3]
can live
and breathe
and move again
as members of the family of God.

[1 John 3:1-21]
[2 Acts 2]
[3 Acts 17:22-31]

6.
We rejoice in the goodness of God,
renounce the works of darkness,
and dedicate ourselves to holy living.
As covenant partners,
called to faithful obedience,[1]
and set free for joyful praise,
we offer our hearts and lives[2]
to do God's work in his world.[3]
With tempered impatience, eager to see injustice ended,
we expect the Day of the Lord.
And we are confident
that the light which shines in the present darkness[4]
will fill the earth when Christ appears.

Come, Lord Jesus![5]
Our world belongs to you.

[1 Mic. 6:8]
[2 Rom. 12:1-2]
[3 2 Pet. 3]
[4 1 Cor. 15]
[5 Rev. 22:20]