.....reminded me of the Vaction Bible Schools of my youth. The theme hymns for those VBS days in the Episcopal church I grew up in rotated between this one, All Things Bright and Beautiful, and I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.
It was hard for me not to march my feet in the pew as we did when we were children when we sang the chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
Refrain
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Refrain
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Refrain
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
Refrain
Maybe we can retire to Texas and join your parish. I swan, the older I get the more I miss my Anglican hymnal. How about "Advent tells us Christ is near" - the way I learned the liturgical year. or "Saviour like a shepherd lead us". Or "Can you count the stars that brightly"
Then there is the single verse "Thy Gospel, Jesus we believe" that would still stand today as a Gospel acclamation, with or without extra alleluias thrown in.
And don't forget the eucharistic hymn "I worship Thee Lord Jesus"!