Within These Walls: a song written by Pepper Choplin and sung by an incredibly talented soloist at my church

This man has an absolutely gorgeous tenor voice. The striking words of his solo moved me so deeply, especially when combined with some of the beautiful music to which they were set, that I was in tears by the end. I'm only sorry the quality of this recording isn't very good; I can't record organ music with my nice Olympus LS-14 anymore because silly, clumsy me has baffed the mics about so much that really loud noises cause them to cut out. I think you can still get the gist of this piece anyway, but here are the words in case they're not very clear in the recording: Within these walls, we assemble. Within these walls, we gather in Your name. As we join our hearts in a holy union, we come to find communion in Your holiness again.

Within these walls, let there be harmony; a common bond; a Spirit from above. And as Your children let us love each other as sisters and as brothers united by Your love.

We are the branches, You are the Vine. We are the vessels and You are the Wine. We are the body, You are the Head. For every hunger, You are the Bread.

Within these walls, we assemble. Within these walls, we gather in Your name. As we join our hearts in a holy union, we come to find communion in Your holiness again.

Within these walls, let there be refuge, a place of rest when doubts and trials form. And let us lift each other as we gather to find Your peace no matter how terrible the storm.

We are the branches, You are the Vine. We are the vessels and You are the Wine. We are the body, You are the Head. For every hunger, You are the Bread.

Within these walls, give us Your vision. Within these walls, let us understand that beyond these walls, there are hurting people who have never felt your healing hand.

Beyond these walls, send us forward. Beyond these walls, let Your will be done. We are Your people; You will leave us never, and we shall work together until Your kingdom comes.

Your kingdom come!

Within these walls, let us listen. Within these walls, let us pray … Let us pray. #church #music #solos