In music, rhythm is the cadence, accent, and pulse—a background to the melody and harmony that unifies the song. In a similar way, schools have rhythms that carry us through each day.
At StoneBridge, our rhythms help us hear the cadence of Christian unity. Lower school teachers begin each day with the steady beat of prayer and pledges to the flags and the Bible. We sing our school song during every special chapel. Each beat helps drive the overarching melody—forming their Christian character.
Our school song is one of the many ways students learn about our focus on forming Christian character. Parents often shed tears as they visualize these lyrics coming to life in their children. The chorus exhorts us:
I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations.
This song was composed in 1984 by music teacher Mary Barnes during a summer faculty retreat in the mountains. Barnes was full of joy as she imagined StoneBridge students living out the full meaning of the lyrics, which are based on Isaiah 60:15 and Philippians 1:9-11. Even today, the words cast a vision of the future in the many chapels and graduations where we celebrate the fruits of our mission.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,
with knowledge and all discernment,
so that you may approve what is excellent,
being pure and blameless,
filled with the fruits of righteousness that come from Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.
This verse underscores four areas that make up the melody of Christian Character we long to see formed in our students:
- Devotion to one another. We pray that students will have an ever deepening love for Christ and for one another.
- Knowledge and Discernment. We pray our students will choose what is good and pleasing to God, resisting temptations and the pressures of this world.
- Christian character. We pray each student will develop genuine Christ-like character, becoming an example and an inspiration to others.
- Christian demeanor. We pray our students’ attitudes and actions will advance God’s Kingdom, manifesting the fruits of righteousness, which come from Jesus Christ.
Eternal Excellence
sets a high standard but it is the goal Christ has for your child. We take great delight in teaching God’s Truth to your children and nurturing them with Christ-like love. Please join us in praying and singing this melody for every StoneBridge student to become more like Christ, who is the everlasting joy of many generations.
Sincerely,
