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We Are Called to Stand Together

We are called to stand together

We Are Called to Stand Together is a hymn text by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1983) in 8.7.8.7 D meter. Found in CW21 903, elw 720, lsb 828. Sung to HYFRYDOL.

The hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on the communion of saints and the ongoing witness of the faithful across generations, rooted in Hebrews 11's exemplars of faith. It expresses the corporate nature of Christian discipleship and the encouragement believers receive from those who have gone before, consistent with Lutheran sacramental and ecclesiastical theology.

History & Background

Written by Jaroslav Vajda in 1983, this modern hymn draws inspiration from Hebrews 11's 'cloud of witnesses' passage. It was first published in Lutheran hymnals in the 1980s and has become a contemporary standard for expressing Christian solidarity and shared faith.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 903
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 720
  • Lutheran Service Book — 828

Bulletin Note

Composed in 1983 by Lutheran hymnologist Jaroslav J. Vajda, this hymn draws on Hebrews 11's cloud of witnesses, expressing the corporate discipleship central to Lutheran ecclesiology and the ongoing reformation of the Church.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's promise that grace sustains believers across generations, transforming the Law's demand for faithfulness into joyful participation in the communion of saints and a living apostolic succession of witness.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological anticipation (St. 1-2) → Incarnational paradox (St. 3) → Pneumatological reign (St. 4)

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

LSB 828 (Hymn of the Day for Trinity 20, one-year). Martin E. Leckebusch (b. Leicester, 1962), English Baptist hymn writer; he studied mathematics at Oxford and numerical analysis at Brunel, lives in Gloucester, and has written almost 400 hymn texts (Kevin Mayhew contributor biography, quoted in the LSB study). Text © 2000 Kevin Mayhew; first seen in Sing Glory (1999), then LSB (2006) and Christian Worship (2021). In LSB it is set to ASCENDED TRIUMPH by Gerike. A hymn on the Church's mission and the faith 'once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude 3), passed from patriarchs and apostles to us (Matt 28:19–20; Heb 11).

Sources: hymnary.org; LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (Paul F. Becker).

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Trinity 20

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Trinity 20 (5×)
  • St. Barnabas (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Proper 14 (3×)
  • Proper 24 (1×)
  • Proper 25 (1×)
  • St. Barnabas (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Christian fellowship and unity Faith as a pilgrim journey Witnessing community The communion of saints Perseverance in faith

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