Christ gives His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, the strengthening of faith, and the uniting of His people around the altar in the gift of Holy Communion. The music surrounding and during the Lord’s Supper in our worship services can facilitate prayer and reflection, but most importantly, it proclaims the truth of Christ’s gift to us. Continue reading to discover music selections that help worshipers receive this Sacrament with reverence, thanksgiving, and trust in God’s promises.
Liturgical Selections for Communion
The Communion liturgy itself offers opportunities for music selections that can bolster festival Sundays. Richard Hillert’s Festival Setting of the Communion Liturgy offers a vibrant liturgical option when jubilant music is appropriate and can create musical variety as needed. The setting corresponds to Lutheran Service Book Divine Service, Setting One, and Lutheran Worship Divine Service II, First Setting, and includes a full score for congregation, choral descant, brass, oboe, timpani, handbells, and organ. This Is the Feast of Victory: A Festival Setting by Jeffrey Blersch offers a celebratory version of Hillert’s canticle that also includes SATB choir and correlates with the same services and settings. With robust instrumentation and a variety of performance options, these regal fanfare settings invoke the triumphant joy of Christ’s sacrificial gift.
Organ and Piano Music During Distribution
During Communion distribution, instrumental music can help provide space for quiet prayer and reflection. Communion Meditations by Brian Henkelmann offers three accessible Communion meditations for organ and cello that emphasize Christ’s presence in Communion.
For Pianists, Piano Impressions for Holy Communion by Thomas Keesecker includes hymn arrangements that unite congregations in reflection on the texts. Charles Callahan’s Five Improvisations on Communion Hymns offers organists an opportunity to share uncommon harmonies within beloved hymn tunes. Hymn Preludes for Holy Communion offers three volumes that contain fresh settings of Communion hymns and chorales common to the Lutheran heritage. Ranging in style and approach, each composition offers both a prelude and one or more alternate accompaniments to congregational singing. Having these collections on hand allows distribution music to be easily coordinated with the day’s hymnody and theological emphasis.
Finally, At the Lamb’s High Feast: Suite for Organ and Trumpet by John A. Behnke offers an instrumental selection deeply tied to the Eucharist. Based on the hymn “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing,” this suite of four pieces features an opening fanfare followed by a pastorale, chorale, and toccata movement, each expounding on a hymn phrase. This versatile work is a great choice for Easter or any celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Choral Selections with Communion Texts
Text-driven choral works such as What Is This Bread? by Kurt E. von Kampen offers an opportunity to share the theological truths of Communion. This SATB piece includes piano and a C instrument to explore the catechesis of Communion, proclaiming Christ’s presence and promise in the Meal. Likewise, I Am the Vine by Mark Bender draws on the text of John 15:5 to connect Communion with Christ’s sustaining life. This a cappella SATB setting uses imitative writing and textual painting, making it appropriate for choirs during distribution or as a post-Communion meditation.
Communion Music for Bells
Handbell music allows for ensemble participation and offers a new timbre to the congregation. Four Communion Hymns for Twelve Bells by Sandra Eithun features favorite Communion hymns arranged using only twelve bells, offering harmonic variety while maximizing the efficiency of a small ensemble.
Three for Communion by Dan R. Edwards offers arrangements of three classic hymns, including “Let Us Break Bread Together,” for slightly larger ensembles. Both of these versatile hymn collections can be utilized during Communion throughout the year.
Faithful Music for the Sacrament
Whether instrumental or vocal, simple or festive, music during Communion should point to Christ and His saving work. These selections help frame the Lord’s Supper as both a solemn gift and a joyful foretaste of the feast to come as worshipers gather at the altar, trusting in Christ’s promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation.
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