Bread of the World

Over my years as a musician and worship director, I’ve accumulated a modest collection of traditional hymnals and chorus music books along with an ever expanding library of poetry and scripture essays. From rare antiquarian volumes to more contemporary selections, I have sincerely enjoyed discovering long forgotten praise songs and liturgies, seldom heard in modern worship services. The church of my childhood incorporated only a few hymns but chiefly focused on classic Vineyard worship of the 70’s and 80’s. However, once I began to lead worship full time, I found I couldn’t stop feeding my craving for beautiful hymns and songs of long ago. As timeless words of saintly praise sank deep into my heart, I began to incorporate many sacred poems and classic hymns into my own compositions and personal worship.

One such inspiration came from my discovery of Dorothy Kissling’s inspirational poem, “Communion.” This traditional composition recognizes the life of Jesus as we observe the Lord’s Super and remembrance of His sacrifice for us. The work appears to have taken inspiration from Reginald Heber’s Eucharistic hymn, “Bread of the World in Mercy Broken,” which eloquently expressed the sheer delight of fellowship with Christ. When crafting my own rendition, we chose to expand it and transform the somber approach of the piece to a tone of exaltation and praise. The result was produced and released on my second record and entitled “How Wonderful.” It remains my prayer that all of us remember to daily lift our voice to God in gratitude for His supreme sacrifice for us and keenly discover His delight in our humble worship. May the Lord be praised!

Bread of the word in mercy broken
Wine of the soul in mercy shed
Words unspeakable have now been spoken
Flame burns above each bended head

We’ve come back to our starting
Here at Your feet where life began
Speak to us Your peace before departing
And lighten the way we journey in

Oh, gift in every out-stretched hand
Oh burning drops, broken hearts
Oh, life shed forth for our demand
How wonderful Thou art

Chorus
How wonderful, how wonderful, how wonderful You are
How wonderful You are, How wonderful you truly are
Oh, bring communion to our hearts
How surpassingly wonderful Thou art

The sun shone only yesterday to reveal our iniquities
And its penetrating light has revealed our sin
The crushing truth of living
Laid bare by the body and blood
Brings to life just where we’ve been

Oh, given over to our longings
Subdued by the lies of our flesh
Oh, bring Your Cross with all its breaking
And teach us the grace to rest

We bring our lives the world has broken
Home to Your heart whose blood was shed
By whom the words of life were spoken 
It’s in his death our sins are dead

Oh, bring communion to our hearts
How surpassingly wonderful Thou art
How wonderful You are