Great God, A Blessing from Thy Throne

Above:  The Laying of the Cornerstone of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., 1920

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-npcc-02377

Words (1880) by Conrad Hermann Louis Schuette (1843-1926)

Hymn Source = American Lutheran Hymnal (1930), American Lutheran Church (1930-1960) and its predecessor bodies

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1.  Great God, a blessing from Thy throne

Grant us, who lay this cornerstone

To build a church, in which Thy Word

Is purely taught and gladly heard.

2.  The work is Thine, and not our own;

Then come, and make Thy presence known!

Our prayers accept, our off’rings bless,

And to our labors grant success.

3.  Remember, Lord, what Thou hast done

For us, through Christ, Thine own dear Son,

From sin and death to set us free

And win us unto heav’n and Thee.

4.  We are the people of Thy choice;

And while we in this grace rejoice,

Our prayer is this, and constant care,

That others too this bliss may share.

5.  Then build us here a house and home,

Where Christ to Him may bid us come,

To save us all with grace divine,

That we may be forever Thine.