As we gather at your table

As we gather at your table. Carl P. Daw, Jr.* (1944- ). Written by request in 1989 for Eastern Shore Chapel (Episcopal), Virginia Beach, Virginia, which was celebrating the tricentenary of its founding in 1689. The motto for the occasion was ‘Repeat the sounding joy’ (from Isaac Watts*, ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come’*) which Daw has incorporated in the last line, the climax of this fine hymn of worship and service. The first line is simple and beautiful in its simplicity: it suggests that the hymn that follows will be a hymn for Holy Communion, and it is certainly suitable for that; but the three stanzas spread out to include the whole Christian experience of forgiveness and love...