The following new hymn—based on the Emmaus event—was written by David Beswick, and posted on his site, David Beswick’s Home Page. See below for tune suggestions.
Be present now dear risen Lord,
help us to know the living Word;
teach us your true Emmaus way;
reveal yourself to us today.
help us to know the living Word;
teach us your true Emmaus way;
reveal yourself to us today.
The Word made flesh; our only head,
be known to us in breaking bread
here in the holy fellowship:
bread in our hands, cup to the lip.
be known to us in breaking bread
here in the holy fellowship:
bread in our hands, cup to the lip.
We meet you at the supper, Lord,
and feel with friends the binding cord.
Knowing your sacrifice for all,
we would serve others as you call.
and feel with friends the binding cord.
Knowing your sacrifice for all,
we would serve others as you call.
In thankfulness we look for you,
alive to us in all we do.
We members of your body share
in service, sacrament and prayer.
alive to us in all we do.
We members of your body share
in service, sacrament and prayer.
Our risen friend, our glorious king,
there at the end we hope to sing
on that great day, your wedding feast,
knowing your love has never ceased.
there at the end we hope to sing
on that great day, your wedding feast,
knowing your love has never ceased.
© David Beswick
Tune suggestions: Beswick suggests that the hymn be sung to TALLIS CANON. If that tune is not familiar to your congregation, you might try one of these other suggestions:
O WALY, WALY (aka GIFT OF LOVE) Listen on YouTube.
OLD HUNDREDTH (aka DOXOLOGY, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow")
MARYTON (often sung to “O Master, let me walk with Thee”)
WOODWORTH (often sung to “Just as I am without one plea”)
If your congregation isn’t familiar with many hymn tunes, you might also use the tune for Twila Paris’s LAMB OF GOD (first half only). The folk tune O WALY, WALY above might be familiar to many people, too.
For more worship resources for the third Sunday of Easter, click on Easter 3 in the list of “Labels” to the lower right.
