As Long as There Is Time

"In the making of our choices 'let us honour Christ.'" (wf)

Music by Ron Klusmeier
Words by Walter Farquharson
Tune Name: McNICOL

Lyrics as Poetry

As long as there is time,
As long as there is time,
let us visit Christ,
let us serve Christ,
as long as there is time.As long as there is time,
As long as there is time,
let us feed Christ,
let us clothe Christ,
as long as there is time.As long as there is time,
As long as there is time,
let us welcome Christ,
let us honour Christ,
as long as there is time.As long as there is time,
As long as there is time,
in the word that’s Christ,
in the work that’s Christ,
as long as there is time.As long as there is time,
As long as there is time,
let us welcome Christ,
let us honour Christ,
as long as there is time.


Words by
Walter FarquharsonCopyright © 1989 by Walter Farquharson
Administered by Hope Publishing Company
Carol Stream, Illinois • USA

Comments About Song

A Reflection by
WALTER FARQUHARSON


The saints have always reminded us that when we are truly closest to God, we are closest to the world. Christians are sometimes so ‘heavenly-minded’ that they are of no earthly use.

Christ meets us in the neighbour, in the person who reaches out to us, in the person who needs our help. The person imprisoned by addiction is Christ. The person lost in depression is Christ. The lonely, the fearful, the grieving, the confused, the hungry, the battered, the homeless, the jobless, the refugee — all of these are Christ.

The opportunity we are given is to serve Christ. The gospel says that Jesus is here waiting, hoping, praying, yearning for our act of love, hungering for our commitment to justice.

We remember the story of the woman with the jar of expensive perfume which she poured out on Jesus’ feet. She then wiped his feet with her hair, all as a spontaneous act of love. She was criticized by the disciples who told her the money could have been spent on the poor. Jesus replied, “The poor you have always among you.” So often this is interpreted  as though Jesus was making a political or economic statement. But perhaps we should read this response as a commissioning. Each of us has the opportunity to serve Christ in the poor, the lonely, the oppressed. We are the hands and feet of Christ.

Although I cannot remember the source, I recall reading that one of the ancient prayers of the Eastern Church included the supplication that as long as there was time we should feed Christ… Certainly many of us recall stories of Christ being welcomed or spurned when appearing “in disguise”.

The phrase “as long as there is time” reminds us that we don’t get to re-live missed opportunities. We may find today that we have lost the opportunity to forgive or to speak a word of encouragement, or to simply say “I love you. I treasure you.” The passage from Matthew’s gospel Chapter 25 vv 31-40 speak directly to this.

What is true on an individual basis is also true in terms of the injustices or even the natural disasters suffered by many. Justice delayed is justice denied. Cycles of revenge are set whirling through history because of a particular atrocity committed.

Major issues push into our awareness because of evidence of climate change – humankind must act “as long as there is time”.

As long as humankind is around to measure time we will make choices. In the making of our choices “let us honour Christ.”


Audio Sample for
"As Long As There Is Time"


One verse with final ending
played on piano

Scripture References

  • Matthew 25:31-45
  • Mark 1:14-20
  • 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
  • 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Season, Theme
or Subject

  • Blessing
  • Blessing∶ benediction
  • Care, Caring
  • Christ
  • Christian∶ life
  • Close of Worship
  • Discipleship
  • Outreach
  • Sending out
  • Service, Serving
  • Time, Seasons

Presentation Suggestions

Not yet available for this title. Contact us if you are a subscriber (or purchaser of this title) and need this item.

Projection Images

This feature is only accessible to Subscribers or those who have purchased this Single Title.


Use the link below for instructions on how to use the Projection Images in Powerpoint and Keynote.

Learn more

Projection Images
Available for This Title


16:9 Words Only
16:9 Words With Music
16:9 Words With Images
4:3 Words Only
4:3 Words With Music
4:3 Words With Images

Accompaniment Recordings

Not yet available for this title. Contact us if you are a subscriber (or purchaser of this title) and need this item.

  • Subscribe To All Titles

    unlimited annual access to everything on this site

  • Purchase This Title

    unlimited access to all versions of this title

  • unlimited access to an individual version of this title

Purchasers and Subscribers
Click links below to download your versions.

Versions Available for This Title

Contact us if you need a version you don’t see here.

Melody Line Versions (includes transposing instruments)


  • Melody Line: LARGE PRINT
  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument or Vocal
  • Melody Line: 'C' Instrument 8va
  • Melody Line: Bass Clef 'C' Instrument
  • Melody Line: Alto Clef Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Bb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘Eb’ Instrument
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (high)
  • Melody Line: ‘F’ Instrument (low)

Bulletin Masters


  • Bulletin Master: Letter-size 1-up
  • Bulletin Master: Letter-size 2-up
  • Bulletin Master: Legal-size 1-up
  • Bulletin Master: Legal-size 2-up

Piano Versions


  • Piano: Hymn-style

Hymn-style Vocal Harmonizations (accompany with any piano versions)


  • Hymn-style: SATB voices
  • Hymn-style: SAB voices
  • Hymn-style: 2-part mixed (m/f) voices
  • Hymn-style: 2-part treble voices

Guitar Chords & Bass Progressions


  • Guitar & Bass: Full chords in keyboard key
  • Guitar: Transposed capo chords
  • Easy Guitar: Basic chords