Week 6: Sacraments

Let Us Break Bread Together

Text: African-American Spiritual

As with most traditional songs, it’s difficult to tell when and where “Let Us Break Bread” first originated
Most likely, it traces its roots back to the antebellum South
Some suspect the initial version was a meeting song, consisting only of the third stanza and refrain, to signal an assembly of slaves gathering to the east (“face to the rising sun”), with the first two stanzas being a later oral addition
Others suggest the song is a straightforward reflection of the slaves’ experiences, as they were commonly required to attend an early-morning Sunday service while their owners attended a separate later service; with the typical Anglican/Episcopal practice of aligning churches east-to-west, this would mean communion was likely served literally “into the rising sun”

Tune: African-American Spiritual

Like most folk songs, the text and tune have evolved together (and been subject to much variation)
The version widely used today was published in The Second Book of Negro Spirituals, compiled in 1926 by brothers James Weldon and Rosamond Johnson

For what looks to be, on its face, such a simple hymn, “Let Us Break Bread" includes some important ideas, specifically that communion should taken humbly (“on our knees”), and focused on God (“face to the rising sun”). Why are humility and attentiveness important to communion? Do you find singing hymns (such as this one) helps adjust your mindset before communion or worship?
- Paul has rather harsh words for those who would take communion “in an unworthy manner”: see 1 Corinthians 11:27-28.
The second phrase of the refrain says, “Lord, have mercy on me”, which is reminiscent of the “Kyrie eleison” (Greek, literally “Lord have mercy”) portion of the Catholic mass. But although the Catholic church has specific doctrines regarding confession and penance, most protestant churches do not. Do you find that confession of sin is under-emphasized in the church today? Why or why not?
- Emphasis of God’s mercy is particularly appropriate at communion, since the original Last Supper was held during passover - a feast remembering God’s mercy in sparing the Israelites from the plague of death in Egypt.
- Communion is backward-looking in many ways: a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice for us, but also a remembrance of the sins we’ve committed to require His salvation.
- See again Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 to “examine ourselves” before taking communion.

Text and Tune: Keith Getty (1974– ), Kristyn Getty (1980– ), Stuart Townend (1963– ), 2006

Born in Northern Ireland, Keith and Kristyn Getty now live in Nashville, Tennessee
Originally working as a professional orchestrator and arranger (as a flute player, he studied under Sir James Galway), Keith turned to hymn writing after he met his wife Kristyn, a church worship leader
Together, their goal is to make church music accessible to everyone, young or old, without watering down its rich poetry and theology

Said Keith in 2006:

It’s been several hundred years since Christian worship was as shallow as it is today. Christianity is more universal than it’s ever been, but people’s understanding of their faith and the Bible is disappointing. We try to write theological and Bible truth that speaks in everyday life, as Charles Wesley did. And I try to write melodies that large groups of people can sing.
Many Getty songs are written in conjunction with British songwriter Stuart Townend, including their most popular hymn “In Christ Alone” (as well as “Behold the Lamb”)

Looking at the lyrics’ structure, verse one serves as an introduction/invitation, verses two and three describe the bread and wine respectively, and verse four is a response or “sending forth”. What does it mean to “follow in the steps of Christ” in a practical sense, and how does that relate to communion? As a local and global church, do you think we are effective at “proclaiming Christ will come again”?
- See Ephesians 5:1-2: following the steps of Christ is to “walk in love”. Also 1 Corinthians 11:1.
Note the pronouns used in this song - with the exception of “torn for you” and “shed for you”, they are exclusively “we”, “us”, and “our”, making the hymn more collective than personal. How important is the “communal” aspect of communion? What would we lose thinking of communion as a purely individual act?
- The Corinthian church had problems with this; 1 Corinthians 11:18-20 describes “factions” apparent during the Lord’s supper, and in verses 33-34 instructs to “wait for” (or “share with”) one another during communion.

Text: Mark Oldenburg (1952– ), 1996

Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Worship for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
Chief areas of study are hymnology and history of Lutheran worship in the United States
Previous to his professorship, served as a parish pastor and hospital chaplain in New Jersey

Tune: Mark Sedio (1954– ), 2005

Serves as organist and worship director at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Published multiple collections of hymn arrangements, one of which includes “Once Led to Your Font” set to the Danish folk tune Ge Mig En Dag
The tune is also known in Sweden as “Österlensvisan” but may actually be Scottish in origin, where it is sung to the words “Maa Bonny Lad”

Verse two contains a description of God’s word, sandwiched between verses about two sacraments (baptism in verse one and communion in verse three). What’s the connection here? In what way does God’s word function similar to these two sacraments?
As in “Behold the Lamb”, the last verse of “Once Led to Your Font” serves as a “call to action” (although there are elements of this in each of the first three verses as well). How do the two hymns compare in this regard? What is similar about their implied responses, and what is different?
- “Once Led to Your Font” is service-oriented: “to serve and to give”, “speak by our deeds”, “nourish and cheer”
- “Behold the Lamb” is more generic: “follow in the steps of Christ”, “proclaim Christ”
- In both, this is a response to God’s call: “to remember our call”, “by your calling made willing”