"I Received the Living God", ELW 477
Refrain: I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
1. Jesus said: I am the bread,
kneaded long to give you life;
you who will partake of me
need not ever fear to die.
Refrain: I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
2. Jesus said: I am the way,
and my Father longs for you;
so I come to bring you home
to be one with us anew.
Refrain: I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
3. Jesus said: I am the truth;
come and follow close to me.
You will know me in your heart,
and my word shall make you free.
Refrain: I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
4. Jesus said: I am the life,
far from whom no thing can grow,
but receive this living bread,
and my Spirit you shall know.
Refrain: I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
I received the living God,
and my heart is full of joy.
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In a number of denominations this first Sunday of October is observed as "World Communion Sunday." Currently, I serve in a United Church of Christ congregation, one of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's (ELCA) ecumenical partners. For them, this Sunday has been an annual celebration for many years. I love the reminder that all Christians, despite our differences in denominations and traditions, are one in Christ. The table at which we gather is God's table, not our own. On this day, our communion practices may vary, but we all come in need of forgiveness. Some will receive cubes of bread, others a wafer and some will tear from a common loaf. Some will drink from a chalice, others will have individual glasses. Some will use wine, others juice. Some congregations will offer both. But we all come hungry for grace and thirsty for new life.
This week our readings have all pointed to our need for repentance and our call to be servants. This meal is what changes us from the inside out so we can answer that call. German mystic Meister Ekhart put it this way, "Our bodily food is changed into us, but our spiritual food changes us into it." When we share in this meal, we take Christ into us and it changes us--we become more like Christ.
Almighty God, we give thanks for this meal that forgives and renews, unites and empowers us all as your people. As we receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus, conform our lives to him. Amen.
Sandy Van Zyl, '88
ELCA Pastor serving United Congregational Church (UCC)
Butte, Mont.
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The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
Telephone: (651)641-3456-
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