Before We Came to Church

for when younger people are moving to groups or classes

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Fred Kaan
Tune Name: DIFFERENT ROOMS 3

Lyrics as Poetry

Before we came to church,
God longed for us to come.
God’s love invites us in,
wants us to feel at home.

Unite us, God, as now
we go our ‘separate’ ways
and let your Spirit guide
each one who goes or stays.

Wherever we may be,
our God has been before
and Jesus is the key
to open every door.

Unite us, God, as now
we go our ‘separate’ ways
and let your Spirit guide
each one who goes or stays.


Words by
Fred KaanCopyright © 1985 by Hope Publishing Company
(Carol Stream, Illinois) for USA and CanadaCopyright © 1985 by Stainer & Bell Limited
(London, England) for all other territories

Comments About Song


“This is one of four short hymn texts written by Fred Kaan during the course of 1987 while he served at Central (Ecumenical) Church in
Swindon, England. They are intended to be
used at the time in worship services when
younger people are about to ‘leave’ to go to
their own groups or classes.

The other three selections from the set
(all available on this website) are:

“A House Has Different Rooms”
“Although We Go Our Separate Ways”
“Upstairs? Downstairs?”

All four of these texts appear in Fred’s book,
“The Only Earth We Know”.


The Only Earth We Know
(Hymn Texts by Fred Kaan)
is co-published by:Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, IL USA
(for USA and Canada)Stainer & Bell, Limited
London, England
(for all other countries)


Audio Sample

"BEFORE WE CAME TO CHURCH"
Piano Introduction;
Both verses & refrains
sung by Sheelah Megill

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • All-ages
  • Celebration
  • Children∶ moving to classes
  • Children∶ music about
  • Children∶ music for
  • Christian∶ community
  • Church∶ fellowship
  • Church∶ life together
  • Church∶ ministry
  • Church∶ worship
  • Confirmation
  • Door, Doors
  • Graduation
  • Intergenerational

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