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Five Songs to Use for Communion
When the body of faith comes together to celebrate communion, there is often a need for music to reflect the deep significance of the service and provide a musical reflection as people participate in communion.
Fortunately, the influence of the ancient-future network of worship leaders has spawned a resurgence sacramental spirituality among a wide swath of faith communities. This has led to some very thoughtful and musically rich songs focused on communion. Here are a few excellent songs to use as part of your next communion service.
“Receive” by Audrey Assad
This song lifts the listener to contemplate the transcendent nature of God who descends into our own condition to provide for us. It is in the bread and wine where the Eucharist becomes the means to encounter the grace of God through the sacrifice of the Son as reveal through the Spirit. Enjoy the wonderful Trinitarian construction of the song.
“Remembrance (The Communion Song)” – by Matt Maher and Matt Redman
Matt Maher and Matt Redman have written a beautiful song of invitation which recognizes the power of God in drawing us to his table of communion. The song echoes Jesus’ injunction to keep on celebrating communion “until he comes.”
“O Come to the Altar” – Elevation Worship
Listen to “O Come to the Altar”
Similar to Maher and Redman’s song “Remembrance”, “O Come to the Altar” also carries with it a strong invitation for people to come receive Christ. It is at the table of the Lord where people may experience the forgiveness of God as they respond to the invitation of the Father. Whether we have been following Jesus for a long time or this is the first response it is a powerful to reaffirm the joy that comes when we surrender ourselves to the forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ.
“Jesus Feed Us” – Music and Lyric by Gord Johnson
While this song won’t likely ever make it onto Christian radio’s hit charts, it is perhaps better that you experience this song as a reverent reflection in preparation to receive the bread and wine. A unique strength of this song is its communal language. Communion is something that re-“members” as the body of Christ. As we come to receive Christ together we are reformed as God’s people, his bride.
“Behold The Lamb” by Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend
A list like this could not be complete without one of Keith and Kristyn Getty’s hymns. Along with Stuart Townend, the Getty’s have crafted a beautiful hymn which reflects a rich appreciation for the work that God does in us as we come around the table and participate in communion.
All of these songs, except for “Jesus Feed Us” are available on CCLI’s Song Select service. This is by no means a complete list of communion songs, but hopefully it gives you a few options to use the next time you gather around the Table.
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Lyrics for the songs are listed below:
“Receive” by Audrey Assad
Holy Wisdom, God in Heaven
Here in human time
Humble Godhead bending low and Touching bread and wine.
Faith is making plain the truth beneath the veil
Faith supplying where our feeble sense fail
To the Father, to the Son,
And to the Spirit be
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Might, and majesty
It is God who we encounter,
It is God that we receive
From this altar we do believe
Jesus by Your hand you feed us
Your own life and bread Jesus risen,
Savior lead us
Out of sin and death
Word of God in flesh and blood, we’re here for You
Bread of life, the love of God, our heav’nly food
To the Father, to the Son,
And to the Spirit be
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Might, and majesty
It is God who we encounter,
It is God that we receive
From this altar we do believe
To the Father, to the Son,
And to the Spirit be
Blessing, honour, glory, power,
Might, and majesty
It is God who we encounter,
It is God that we receive
From this altar
From this altar
From this altar we do believe.
“Remembrance (The Communion Song)” – by Matt Maher and Matt Redman
Verse 1
Oh how could it be
That my God would welcome me
Into this mystery
Say take this bread take this wine
Now the simple made divine
For any to receive
Pre-Chorus
By Your mercy we come to Your table
By Your grace You are making us faithful
Chorus
Lord we remember You
And remembrance leads us to worship
And as we worship You
Our worship leads to communion
We respond to Your invitation
(We respond to Your invitation)
We remember You
Verse 2
See His body His blood
Know that He has overcome
Ev’ry trial we will face
And none too lost to be saved
None too broken or ashamed
All are welcome in this place
Bridge
Dying You destroyed our death
Rising You restored our life
Lord Jesus come in glory
Lord Jesus come in glory
Lord Jesus come in glory
Lord Jesus come in glory
CCLI Song # 5484616
Matt Maher | Matt Redman
© 2009 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
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Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
“O Come to the Altar” – Elevation Worship
Verse 1
Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling
Chorus
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Verse 2
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling
Bridge
Oh what a Savior
Isn’t he wonderful
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Verse 3
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you’ve found
CCLI Song # 7051511
Chris Brown | Mack Brock | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye
© 2015 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
“Jesus Feed Us” – Music and Lyric by Gord Johnson
Again and again and again
To this table we come
Once a people estranged
Now as one in your name
In your mercy and grace
Forgiven of what we’ve confessed
By your body and blood
One last thing we request
To you we pray Jesus feed us
Feed us Jesus
Feed us Jesus
With your healing love
“Behold The Lamb” by Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend
Verse 1
Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away
Slain for us and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross
So we share in this Bread of Life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King
Verse 2
The body of our Saviour Jesus Christ
Torn for you eat and remember
The wounds that heal the death that brings us life
Paid the price to make us one
So we share in this Bread of Life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of love
Around the table of the King
Verse 3
The blood that cleanses every stain of sin
Shed for you drink and remember
He drained death’s cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God
So we share in this Bread of Life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of grace
Around the table of the King
Verse 4
And so with thankfulness and faith we rise
To respond and to remember
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth
As we share in His suffering
We proclaim Christ will come again
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King
CCLI Song # 5003372
Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend
© 2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Dr. Patrick Friesen
Patrick Friesen was Professor of Worship Arts at SBC for 12 years.
