Our church really knows how to sing the original of this song (“In The Midst of New Dimensions”, by Julian Rush) – with gusto and energy – because we used to sing it all the time. When this is sung by the attendees in any denominational gathering, you can tell who the folks from my church are – they’re the ones singing loudly and mostly without looking at the words. I have come to love that song. So as I thought about writing a song for my home church’s Stewardship campaign one year, this tune naturally came to mind. The words are my own (with help from my spouse Peter), so blame me, not Julian!
Sometimes the words don’t fit the meter, but do the best you can. Sometimes it’s intentional, like in Verse 5. I will often choose words over meter.
A copy of this song with better formatting is posted as a PDF document.
Stewardship Song
Allyson & Peter Sawtell
To the tune of “In the Midst of New Dimensions” by Julian Rush (with apologies!)
1. In the midst of new dimensions, Queasy budgets, bottom lines It’s the time of year when we all Have to just make up our minds! God of pledge cards, God of checkbooks, Kick us off our comfy duffs Make us imagine, make us brave to Go beyond And give beyond Just what’s enough. 2. Now, we know that it ain’t easy, Times are hard, and money’s tight. Let’s keep a lively sense of humor While we try to do what’s right. God of vision, play and justice, Leading with a laugh and roar, We, your people, this the church now, Ever changing, Ever serving Being so much more. 3. God, you’ve never had to pay bills, Lead a Stewardship campaign. Still, we trust you know what you’re doing Here we are, in church again Doing what we we’re called to do now Pledge to help this church to thrive So that we can change the world now Or at least take A leap of faith Give it a good try! 4. Sometimes budgets make us anxious, Sometimes money seems so tight Bills, repairs, Creation’s pain now Really can give us a fright But there’s much more to the story, Lively church, a new world, too Stewardship need not be gory Smile, laugh and raise our pledges, Let’s make hope come true! 5. Raise those pledges, whip out your checkbooks, God, you call us to be bold. Take a deep breath, to create A living church That doesn’t fit the mold! God of pledges, God of promise, God of change who calls us on; We, the church, will build your new world, Now we promise Now we’ll work hard Bring it, bring it on!