"Keep Our Faith Alive and Thriving"

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Here's a new hymn inspired by the Book of James.  It is written in 8.7.8.7 D and is sung to the tune, HOLY MANNA, which is commonly used to sing "Brethren, We Have Met to Worship."

Permission is given for use in congregational worship.  Please give the following credit:  "Copyright 2018 Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com"

Click here for a pdf of this hymn.

Keep our faith alive and thriving, help us be your servants true.
Stir our hearts to break with grief when hurting people cry for you.
May our works reflect our preaching, may your worship change our ways.
Make our mission full and fruitful, serving you with all our days.

What good is it, Gospel children, if you pray but fail to act?
Is not faith a concrete practice, never only in abstract?
May we live your Gospel fully; hearing, yes, but doing, too!
May our lives reflect your calling, not just when we’re in our pew.

What good is it, God’s beloved, if the Church is naught but talk?
Who are we to shut the door when those who weep and suffer knock?
Far too often have we faltered when we’re called to take a stand.
Free our hearts to serve you boldly, feeding people from your hand.

Faith that’s free from works is deadly, keeping us from serving true.
Make us, mold us, steer us clearly to the truth we should pursue.
All your children need your mercy, help us serve the ones in need.
Seal us in your Holy Spirit, preaching love in word and deed.

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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.