Hymn Uniting Prayer and Communion: “Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God”

I was looking for a hymn that merges the themes of prayer and the Lord’s Supper for our Postures of Prayer series but found nothing that fully encompassed both. So, I wrote one: “Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God.” This hymn brings together the power of Christ’s presence in prayer and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, tying them to God’s historic acts of salvation. By blending these themes, the hymn reflects on the redemption Christ offers through His body and blood.

The Journey Behind the Hymn

Writing this hymn was driven by the desire to express two central elements of Christian life: the intimate conversation with God in prayer and the deep, unifying act of receiving Christ in the Lord’s Supper.

Key Themes

  1. Prayer: The opening lines reflect Christ’s humility and His presence in our prayers. As we pray, we invite Him into our lives, seeking forgiveness, love, and peace.
  2. The Lord’s Supper: The hymn brings us to the night of Jesus’ betrayal, connecting His last meal with His followers to the ongoing celebration of the Eucharist. Through His body and blood, we are united with Him in grace.
  3. Passover Connection: Reflecting on the Old Testament Passover, the hymn illustrates how God spared His people and how Christ, our Passover Lamb, protects us today.

Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God

Tune: Old Hundredth

Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God
Who came to walk on humble sod
Come once again in holy feast
To grant forgiveness, love, and peace.

When Is-ra-el for freedom cried
You saved them as the firstborn died
Passover Lamb, Who stained the doors
Pass over* those You claim as Yours.

Lord, on the night You were betrayed
You still gave thanks for all God made
So grant us freedom through this food
Replace our fear with gratitude

You come to us by sanguine wine
Your body and the bread combine
Unite with us in this blessed meal
That we Your grace to all reveal

* The Hebrew word translated “Passover” means “cover”. In the Exodus account, God Himself passed over the houses marked by the blood of the lamb and protected them from the destroying angel.

This hymn was written not only as a reflection of my personal faith but also as a tool for worship. It combines prayer and the Lord’s Supper in a way that I hope will resonate with others.

If you’re interested in including this hymn in your worship service, feel free to use it—it’s licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 4.0).




Images: Water into Wine

A series of images for a sermon on John 2:1-11




Hymn: Come O Sinners to the Waters

English: Baptism of Christ Русский: Крещение Г...

English: Baptism of Christ Русский: Крещение Господне (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s a Communion hymn for the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (1st Sunday after the Epiphany). While it’s mainly based on John’s account, it should work for the festival regardless. Also consider on days with a Baptism in the service.

 

Come O Sinners to the Waters

Tune: Hyfrydol (e.g. Love Divine, All Love Excelling)

 

Come O sinners to the waters

Come prepare the way of the Lord

Let the path of life be straightened

Open now our hearts to His Word

Trim the blight of pride and arrogance

Drown our idols in the sea

Raise us out of self-indulgence

That good fruit be born for Thee.

 

Come O sinners to the waters

Come behold the Lamb of God

Voice of God Who made the mountains

Walks upon our groaning sod

See the Lamb, no spot or blemish

Washed for evil not His own

That the deluge bury transgression

Earning us an eternal throne

 

Come O sinners to the waters

See the Dove on Jesus alight

Spirit wafting where He wishes

Comes through Christ with loving might

Come O Spirit! Rest upon us!

Raise us from the tomb of sin

Bring us to sincere confession

Purify us all within.

 

Come O sinners to the waters

Hear the Father’s voice approve

“You, My Son, are all my pleasure.

Sole begotten Whom I love.”

Hear the Father speak to sinners

Righteousness fulfilled by One

New creation of the Almighty

You are now my beloved son!

 

Come O sinners to the table

Here the Lamb comes once again

Granting all His peace and pardon

Taking from the world our sin

Take and eat remembered covenant

Drink remission from the Slain

Come receive the Lamb’s own righteousness

Come be cleansed of every stain.

 

Holy Father, by Your mercy,

You have made us Your delight

Lamb of God, by Your redemption,

Freed us from eternal plight

Holy Spirit, by Your cleansing,

You renew us day by day

Let Your mercy as we go forth

For the lost prepare the way.

 

LSBX file for Lutheran Service Builder




Image: Word Became Flesh

I recently wrote an article on the Incarnation and the Real Presence relative to the Passover, and I took some photos that might be useful to those who’d like to tie “The Word became flesh” to “This is My body.”

Find variants with both paten & chalice here.




Hymn: Celebration Hymn

For a sermon series I did for Advent 2011. It’s designed to use the first and last verses and choosing one of the middle topic verses, not to be sung straight through. Individual verses could also be used, such as a Magnificat substitute.

Celebration Hymn

Tune: In Thee Is Gladness

1

Come celebration, Glad exultation

Join the song of Zion here

Sing, choirs terrestrial, with saints celestial

Word in flesh with us appear

Incarnate lowly, yet ever holy

Lifted up gory, then raised in glory

To reign forever, Alleluia!

Offered for sinners to make us winners

Though we denied Him and crucified Him

He’ll leave us never, Alleluia!

 

2 (Baby Shower: Mary & Elizabeth)

My soul rejoices; my spirit voices

In the Lord, Who saves my soul

He has concern for all those who yearn for

Israel to be made whole

‘Til time’s arrested, I’ll be called blessed

God blessed the lowly. His name is holy.

Mercy paternal, Alleluia!

He shows His power, Arrogants cower.

He lifts the humble while mighty tumble

Promise eternal, Alleluia!

 

 

3 (Dinner Party: Last Supper)

Meal of redemption, Israel’s exemption

Lamb’s blood saved His people then

Promise renewed as traitors like Judas

Plot the Lamb to slay again

Body unleavened of King of heaven

Covenant blood, Thine, in and with the wine

For His remembrance, Alleluia!

Sinners forgiven, new life we’re given

Into His Presence come kings and peasants

For our deliverance, Alleluia!

 

4 (Wedding: Cana)

Couple united, Jesus invited

Celebrate the wedding feast

Wine jars all finished, contents diminished

Celebration almost ceased

Mary comes pleading for Jesus leading

Water in jars poured trusting the Lord’s Word

Wine transmutation, Alleluia!

Though in form humble for all who stumble

God come in person to take our curse on

Reaffirmation, Alleluia!

 

5 (Surprise Party: Epiphany) Wise men’s arrival seeking the child

Traveling from lands afar

Stargazing sages seek King of ages

Following the Eastern star

Offer sincere their gifts to revere Him

Worship the One Who’s God’s only Son, too

Lord of all nations, Alleluia!

Though only crawling, to all men calling

Infant has come to die for the ones who

Face accusations, Alleluia!

 

6 (Birthday Party: Shepherds @ Jesus’ Birth)

Angel appearing while shepherds fearing

Glory shines with holy light

“Fear not! I’ve good news for all from God, Whose

Words will give you joy this night

In David’s city,God has shown pity

Sent you a Savior, given His favor

Laid in a manger, Alleluia!”

Angels come praising, their voices raising

Shepherds arrive, view all as described too   

Tell of this Stranger, Alleluia!

 

7

So lift your voices as earth rejoices

To the Lamb Who once was slain

For He has risen, opened death’s prison

With us endless will remain

Give invitation to every nation

That all may follow and His name hallow

In each endeavor, Alleluia!

Let celebration bring transformation

Sharing His favor with every neighbor

To live forever, Alleluia!

 

Celebration Hymn by Strength and Song Publishing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

LSBX file for Lutheran Service Builder