World Communion Sunday

FOR EVERYONE BORN

As we celebrate World Communion Sunday, the sanctity and worth of all God’s people throughout the world is celebrated in this joyful song of inclusion and justice.

For everyone born, a place at the table,
      for everyone born, clean water and bread,
            a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
      for everyone born, a star overhead.

Refrain:
And God will delight when we are creators
      of justice and joy, compassion and peace:
      yes, God will delight when we are creators
            of justice, justice and joy!

For young and for old, a place at the table,
      a voice to be heard, a part in the song.
The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
      for young and for old, the right to belong.

Refrain

For everyone born, a place at the table,
      to live without fear, and simply to be,
            to work, to speak out,
            to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free!

Refrain

WORDS: Shirley Erena Murray, © 1998 Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
MUSIC: Brian Mann, © 2006 General Board of Global Ministries.
ARRANGEMENT: Tom Trenney © 2016, 2019 Birnamwood.

LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER

This anthem is an arrangement of a traditional African American spiritual. Verses one and two are familiar: Let us break bread together… Let us love one another. A new verse is added: Let us rise up together all as one.

Let us break bread together on our knees.
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us love one another on our knees.
Let us love one another on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Let us rise up together all as one.
Let us rise up together all as one.
When I rise from my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy. O Lord, have mercy, and bring us peace.

TEXT: African American spiritual, additional words by Gwyneth Walker
MUSIC: Gwyneth Walker
© 2017 E.C. Schirmer Music Co. All rights reserved.

LET US BE BREAD

The anthem sung during communion by the choir is a prayer for us to be the bread of life to the world in the name of Jesus.

Refrain:
Let us be bread, blessed by the Lord,
broken and shared, life for the world.
Let us be wine, love freely poured.
Let us be one in the Lord.

I am the bread of life, broken for all.
Eat now and hunger no more.
Refrain

You are my friends if you keep my commands,
no longer servants but friends.
Refrain

See how my people have nothing to eat.
Give them the bread that is you.
Refrain

As God has loved me so I have loved you.
Go and live on in my love.
Refrain

WORDS: Thomas Porter (Matt. 14:15‑21; 15:32‑38; Mark 6:35‑44; 8:1‑9; Luke 9:12‑17; John 6:35; 15:9‑17)
MUSIC (LET US BE BREAD): Thomas Porter
© 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Amber Outen