The Women’s Fellowship Gospel Choir of the Church of Saint Joseph 711 North Columbus Street, Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.A. in performance June 2011. The current pastor is Reverend Father Donald M. Fest, Society of Saint Joseph, who is assisted by Reverend Deacon Albert A. Anderson, Jr.. The current Director of Music is Mr. Eugene Harper. The mission of the church, “is to praise the Lord and embrace the future while engaging and transforming the community.” It is also, “Justice, which includes affordable housing. “Our sole wish is to do the will of God.” ─ Mother Mary Lange. Around the year 2000, Alexandria, VA began to gentrify the
northern part of Old Town. By 2020, the neighborhood surrounding the church became a mixture of new $750,000+ townhouses and new expensive 4-story apartments/condominiums. In the last 20 years, Alexandria lost 90% of its affordable apartment stock due to increases in rents and housing costs. Now, 15% of Alexandria households earn less than $35,000 per year and 25% earn less than $50,000. The church is considering building a 4 or 5 story 50+ unit affordable housing facility next to the church.
The melody and lyrics to the refrain of, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” were written by Anthony J. Showalter in 1887 and the remaining lyrics were written by Elisha Hoffman. Showalter’s inspiration came after he received letters from 2 of his former pupils saying that their wives had died. When writing letters of consolation to them, Showalter was inspired by the passage in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 33, verse 27, "The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the Everlasting Arms." The song is sung as follows:
“What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
[Refrain]:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; (Yes we are!)
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms. (Oh we are!)
"Great Is the Lord," was written in 1982 by Debbie and Michael W. Smith. Psalm 145:3, "Great is the Lord and most worthy of Praise," served as the inspiration for the lyrics. The lyrics as sung by the choir are as follows:
Great is the Lord, He is holy and just, by His power we trust in His love
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true, by His mercy He proves He is love
Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory, Great is the Lord, and worthy of praise
Great is the Lord, now lift up your voice, now lift up your voice, Great is the Lord
Great is the Lord
Great is the Lord, He is holy and just, by His power we trust In His love
Great is the Lord, He is faithful, and true, by His mercy He proves He is love
Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory, Great is the Lord, and worthy of praise
Great is the Lord, now lift up your voice, now lift up your voice, Great is the Lord
Great is the Lord
Great are you Lord, and worthy of glory, Great are you Lord and worthy of praise
Great are you Lord I lift up my voice I lift up my...
