Go Forth In the Service of God
Words and Music by Betsy Lee Bailey
Go Forth in the service of God and proclaim the good news of the Lord.
It's a message of hope, a message of truth to the hungering souls of the world.
For sweet is the peace that the gospel brings to the humble and meek of mankind.
Spread the Lord's promised blessings abroad in the earth, all the scattered of Israel to find.
Go forth in the service of God, And follow the ways of the Lord.
For He is the Light, the Life, and the Way. Who can stay the great pow'r of His word?
He will open the door to eternal life for all who will enter therein.
Oh, then, come unto Christ, His blessings receive, and the great plan of happiness win.
A marvelous work is about to come forth. Yea, a marvelous work and a wonder.
For the kingdom of God is restored once again and shall ne'er be divided asunder.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Halleluja! Hallelujah!
Go forth in the service of God and give heed to the word of the Lord.
Stand forth as a witness in thought, word, and deed holding fast to the iron rod.
O, ye that embark in the service of God seek to serve him with all of your might,
Then armed with the scriptures, the truth as your guide, go and battle for goodness and right.
Go forth in the service of God and find joy in the work of the Lord.
Bring life and salvation to all who will hear, ev'ry cov'nant and blessing restored.
For this is the joy of which angels sang when they sang at the birth of God's Son.
Press forward with faith, and endure to the end 'til the work of the Master is done.
This piece won a Special Recognition Award, hymn text category, in the 2002 Church Music Submissions
About writing this song:
As the time approached when we expected the return of our first missionary son, I happened to read a quote from the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. He said of missionary work, "For this is the joy of which angels sang when they sang at the birth of God's Son." This quote and others of Pres. Hinckley's words became the basis of the text for this powerful missionary anthem.
Note: There are a few slight errors in the published version that I'd like to point out.
1. At measure 41 (E) the Alto voices begin with the Soprano voices joining at measure 42.
2. At measure 55 (G) the dynamic is marked Lightly. Actually the voices and piano there sing fervently as before, but at measure 59 the piano has a jaunty motive that should be played lightly through measure 63 when the crescendo begins.
3. Be sure to recruit a few good high soprano voices to sing pages 9 through to the ending.
4. The Rubato marking at measure 86 actually should happen at measure 90 through to the fermata.
5. The Ending (measures 92-95) should be sung with power and majesty and slowing to the end.
It's a message of hope, a message of truth to the hungering souls of the world.
For sweet is the peace that the gospel brings to the humble and meek of mankind.
Spread the Lord's promised blessings abroad in the earth, all the scattered of Israel to find.
Go forth in the service of God, And follow the ways of the Lord.
For He is the Light, the Life, and the Way. Who can stay the great pow'r of His word?
He will open the door to eternal life for all who will enter therein.
Oh, then, come unto Christ, His blessings receive, and the great plan of happiness win.
A marvelous work is about to come forth. Yea, a marvelous work and a wonder.
For the kingdom of God is restored once again and shall ne'er be divided asunder.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Halleluja! Hallelujah!
Go forth in the service of God and give heed to the word of the Lord.
Stand forth as a witness in thought, word, and deed holding fast to the iron rod.
O, ye that embark in the service of God seek to serve him with all of your might,
Then armed with the scriptures, the truth as your guide, go and battle for goodness and right.
Go forth in the service of God and find joy in the work of the Lord.
Bring life and salvation to all who will hear, ev'ry cov'nant and blessing restored.
For this is the joy of which angels sang when they sang at the birth of God's Son.
Press forward with faith, and endure to the end 'til the work of the Master is done.
This piece won a Special Recognition Award, hymn text category, in the 2002 Church Music Submissions
About writing this song:
As the time approached when we expected the return of our first missionary son, I happened to read a quote from the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. He said of missionary work, "For this is the joy of which angels sang when they sang at the birth of God's Son." This quote and others of Pres. Hinckley's words became the basis of the text for this powerful missionary anthem.
Note: There are a few slight errors in the published version that I'd like to point out.
1. At measure 41 (E) the Alto voices begin with the Soprano voices joining at measure 42.
2. At measure 55 (G) the dynamic is marked Lightly. Actually the voices and piano there sing fervently as before, but at measure 59 the piano has a jaunty motive that should be played lightly through measure 63 when the crescendo begins.
3. Be sure to recruit a few good high soprano voices to sing pages 9 through to the ending.
4. The Rubato marking at measure 86 actually should happen at measure 90 through to the fermata.
5. The Ending (measures 92-95) should be sung with power and majesty and slowing to the end.