Love is the Spirit of this Church

An old-time gospel experience with a vision for our time

Commissioned by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing

Poet/Lyricist:

Tony Larsen & Elizabeth Alexander

A spirited invitation to what religion is truly about: Love. This progressive reimagining of a classic gospel tune calls for lively participation from all present, including worship leaders and congregants. Rousing lyrics by Rev. Tony Larsen and Elizabeth Alexander call on the church community to expand beyond "the walls and steeple" and become "a gathered people," blessing the world with its actions.

The "Old-Time Revival Version" (currently available), features a spoken introduction by a rousing worship leader, a driving pulse, and a "testimony time" to recognize the church's concrete acts of love. Lead sheets for additional instruments are available upon request.

The "Contemporary Gospel Version" features a soulful introduction for a strong soloist, rich harmonies, and an optional role for a unison children's choir.

A Note from Elizabeth: I receive frequent queries from performers wishing to change the lyrics to my songs, including this one. For my thoughts on this as it pertains to this song, see my blog:
Music in a Time of Word Wariness, OR A Church by any other Name

Love is the Spirit of this Church

Tony Larsen
Revised and additional lyrics by Elizabeth Alexander

Oh our church is built of neither brick nor stone,
For it’s love that’s the spirit of this church.
It’s a shelter fashioned from our hearts alone.
Yes it’s love that’s the spirit of this church.

CHORUS: For it’s love, yes it’s love,
For it’s love that’s the spirit of this church.
Not the walls or steeple but a gathered people
Is what makes up the spirit of this church.

It is not stained glass that makes these windows bright,
For it’s love that’s the spirit of this church.
They’re illuminated by compassion’s light,
Yes it’s love that’s the spirit of this church.

CHORUS

And our sacred altar is not carved of wood,
For it’s love that’s the spirit of this church.
It is consecrated by the greater good,
Yes it’s love that’s the spirit of this church.

CHORUS

Composer's Note:

It took three ministers plus a minister’s daughter to create this song. It all started in 1878, when Presbyterian minister and hymnwriter Elisha A. Hoffman penned the classic altar call warhorse, Washed in the Blood. Over a hundred years later, Unitarian Universalist minister Tony Larsen began leading spirited revivals for religious liberals, setting original lyrics to tunes from well-known revival songs.

Tony’s new lyric was based on the first line of a church covenant written by Unitarian minister James Vila Blake in 1894: “Love is the spirit of this church and service is its law. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.”

Tony’s popular revivals were performed all over the country – including in Madison, Wisconsin, where this minister’s daughter showed up in 1993 with a baby on one hip and a tambourine on the other. Twenty-three years later, a commission for the dedication of a new church building offered her the perfect opportunity to create a revised and full-fledged arrangement of Love is the Spirit of this Church.

Program Notes / Performance Notes: