"O Living Bread from Heaven," ELW 542 & LBW 197
1 O living Bread from heaven, how well you feed your guest!
The gifts that you have given have filled my heart with rest.
O wondrous food of blessing!
O cup that heals our woes!
My heart, this gift possessing, in thankful song o'erflows!
2 My Savior, you have led me within your holiest place,
and here yourself have fed me with treasures of your grace;
for you have freely given what earth could never buy,
the bread of life from heaven, that now I shall not die.
3 You gave me all I wanted; this food can death destroy.
And you have freely granted the cup of endless joy.
My Lord, I do not merit the favor you have shown,
and all my soul and spirit bow down before your throne.
4 Oh, grant me then, well-strengthened with heav'nly food,
while here my course on earth is lengthened, to serve you,
free from fear; and bring me home to praise you where none can peace destroy,
where I will ever raise you glad songs in endless joy.
Devotion
Hymns dance with the heart of scripture! How well you feed your guest! The words remind us of what we have experienced. You have celebrated with friends and family at reunions and festivals. The good green earth produces and we feast. You have heard the call to gather with God’s people and in God’s house for worship. This God we worship is the God of abundance, of table fellowship, and of feasting. This God is the one who has come near us. Anticipating the holy meal of grace, we confess that God has given “what earth could never buy, the bread of life from heaven.”
Prayer
Feed us forever with your grace and favor, O Living Bread from Heaven. Amen.