We've Come This Far By Faith

Description

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, Piano — GENERAL (OR DEDICATION) ANTHEM FOR SATB VOICES AND PIANO; WORDS BASED ON HEBREWS 11:1; MUSIC BY GARY ALAN SMITH BASED ON HEBREWS 11:1, THIS ANTHEM ALLOWS THE CHOIR TO AFFIRM THAT AS A CONGREGATION WE GIVE THANKS AND PROCLAIM, "WE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH AND KNOW BY FAITH WE'LL TRAVEL ON". THIS IS AN ANTHEM YOU WILL WANT YOUR CHOIR TO LEARN AND HAVE READY TO SING AS NEEDED. THE PIANO INTRODUCTION GIVES YOU A HINT OF THE GENTLE FLOW OF THE MELODY TO COME. ENTERING IN UNISON, THE CHOIR MOVES TO A MIXED TWO- PART SECTION, BUILDING TO AN INSPIRING REFRAIN IN FOUR-PART HARMONY. CONTINUING IN FOUR-PART HARMONY ON STANZA 2, THE ANTHEM RETURNS TO THE REFRAIN. THE PIANO CLOSES THE ANTHEM WITH A REPEAT OF THE GENTLE, FLOWING INTRODUCTION. CONSIDER INVITING THE CONGREGATION TO JOIN THE REFRAIN EACH TIME IT OCCURS. AT TIMES OF GREAT CELEBRATION IN THE CHURCH IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO ASK THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO JOIN THE SINGING OF STANZA 1, AS WELL AS THE PICKUP TO MEASURE 52 TO THE END. CHURCHES WITH PROJECTION CAPABILITIES WILL WANT TO CREATE A SLIDE SHOW THAT REFLECTS THE HISTORY AND THE FUTURE OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY.