Gather the People
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w&m: Dan Schutte, 2004
(All 10 verses)

[Instrumental Intro]

[Refrain]
Gather the people! Enter the feast!
All are invited, the greatest and least.
The banquet is ready, now to be shared.
Join in the heavenly feast that God has prepared.

[Verse 1]
Around this table we dine as kin,
beloved fam'ly of God.
We share the Body of Christ, the Lord.
Here we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 2]
Around this table we tell great tales,
the wondrous stories of grace.
We hold the mem'ry of Christ, the Lord.
So we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 3]
Around this table God's bounty falls
on all who hunger and thirst.
We drink the fullness of Christ, the Lord.
So we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 4]
Around this table God's mercy flows
to hearts imprisoned by shame.
We know compassion in Christ, the Lord.
Let us become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 5]
Around this table new hope is born,
the flame of faith in our hearts.
We find our courage in Christ, the Lord,
till we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 6]
Around this table God's healing flows
to all the wounded and worn.
We join the suff'rings of Christ, the Lord,
as we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 7]
Around this table God's peace will reign
in hearts imprisoned by fear.
We live in freedom through Christ, the Lord,
as we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 8]
Around this table our hearts rejoice
in love that's stronger than death.
We'll rise in glory with Christ, the Lord.
Then we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 9]
Around this table God's justice reigns
in hearts that labor for peace.
We breathe the spirit of Christ, the Lord,
till we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Verse 10]
Around this table God's lowly ones
are clothed in splendor and grace.
We share the banquet of Christ, the Lord.
Here we become what we eat.

[Refrain]

[Intrumental Coda]