NCCG.ORG - HYMNODY - 2. Our Family, United by Love

NCAY HYMNS 2. Our Family, United by Love (Christopher C. Warren) Third Edition, 2017
Second (Sacred Name) Edition, 2002
First Edition, 1992, Songs of the New Covenant, Vol.3, #100

Our Family, United by Love was composed partly in Oxford, England, and partly in Oslo, Norway. It's mood is a blend of sadness and hope and reflects both the author's loss of his own family in 1988 and the subsequent trials, betrayals and dessertions by brethren and sisters in the early days of the ministry. The hymn underscores both the reality of persecution, heart-break and disappointment that inevitably comes when labouring for Yahweh in this earthly veil of tears but also reminds us that Yah'shua is never very far away, and always ready to comfort and console us.
This is one of the saddest of the historical hymns of NCAY and is a reminder of the foundation of sweat and tears that began this work. Yah'shua (Jesus) never said that this life would be easy, but He did promise it would be worth it. Hence the hymn ends on the hope of our better heavenly/millennial home whose inner reality we strive after whilst down here so that when we reach it, we will know we have arrived home.
This is traditionally used as an opening hymn for the members when the times have been tough. The accompanying melody is the Federal German Army Hymn, Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe (I Pray to the Power of Love). It is known in NCAY as the Assembly Anthem.

1. Our family, united by love,
black, white, and blue,
the banner above;
Has gathered here,
our hearts aflame,
Fresh tears in our eyes,
Yahweh to proclaim:
Alone no more,
Yah'shua to adore:
To sing with our might,
the victory in sight.
2. We've suffered long,
and often cried,
when those who we love,
the truth have denied;
And wicked ones,
Have taken away,
our dreams by night,
our hopes by day:
But deep within
we've always known:
That Yah would restore,
our broken hearts once more.
3. And so we gather here today,
to have our tears
wiped fully away;
We know that Yah'shua
loves us dear,
and if we are true,
He'll always be near;
And so we sing
to Yah'shua our King;
As one family
with voices unitedly.
4. Come take my hand,
embrace me near,
lead Thou me on,
my Saviour dear;
Until we find our home above
and bathe in Your love
for ever more:
Hallelujah!
The angels proclaim:
That Yah'shua is King,
in very deed, and Name.