Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we bless you for your unfailing love. You have moved us from shadows into light. You have scattered our sorrows and gathered our joys at your banquet of abundance. Your body is for us, your blood for us, your riches for us, your very self is given for us. You have given all from the deep reservoir of your unfailing love. So we bless and adore you. Amen.

The melody is presented only with guitar chords, which in this collection follow the more common pattern in South America of using the “do re mi” system; the first chord “la m” stands for A minor. In this case, the melody is very accessible rhythmically. Take a very relaxed tempo to allow time for the many words of this rich text time to sink in; feel a gentle lilting 3/4-pattern of a Latino dance, but with a ritard at the end of the second line, and especially before moving into the refrain. Guitars (classical rather than steel string) and/or keyboard could be sufficient, but also consider adding castanets and shakers.

 

During a communion service, have soloists or choir introduce this song in English, or if possible, in the beautiful Spanish, and after one or two stanzas, invite the congregation to join on the refrain.

 

I always stand amazed at the communion of the saints that is celebrated whenever we sing hymns that unite voices from different times and places and languages in praise to God.

(from Reformed Worship, Issue 66)

 

The origins of this text are German, with a beloved text and tune combination that had been inseparable in Lutheran hymnals since first published together in 1653.  But the Spanish translation of the text has been wedded to a new tune from Puerto Rico by Evy Lucio Cordova, who was instrumental in introducing children to songs from many traditions.  The new combination was published by Augsburg Fortress in Libro de Liturgica y Cántico, the 1998 Spanish language hymnal developed by and recommended for use in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

Johann Franck (b. Guben, Brandenburg, Germany, 1618; d. Guben, 1677) was a law Student at the University of Köningsberg and practiced law during the Thirty Years' War. He held several positions in civil service, including councillor and mayor of Guben. A significant poet, second only to Paul Gerhardt in his day, Franck wrote some 110 hymns, many of which were published by his friend Johann Cruger, who composed the tune historically wed to this text.