Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Why Is This Night Different?
KREMSER (12.11.12.12) ("We Gather Together")

"Why is this night different from all of the others?"
This night we remember how God set us free.
This night we remember our fathers and mothers
Whom God reached out to save from harsh slavery.

We eat bitter herbs to recall how they suffered;
The salt water tells of their tears and their cries.
The lamb is the sacrifice each household offered;
The matzo is the bread with no time to rise.

Haroseth reminds how the people long labored
In making the mortar; what weary, worn slaves!
And yet in its sweetness is hope ever-savored,
And in each cup of wine, the promise: God saves!

Through symbols we share here, your story is spoken;
God, help us to know that it's our story, too!
For as we are saved we are sent to the broken,
Till all know peace and joy, till all are made new.

(After the Lord's Supper is shared)

Lord Jesus, you joined in the great celebration,
Then gave us a new meal to joyfully share.
You blessed bread and wine and you offered salvation;
Now send us out to serve, Lord, this is our prayer!

Biblical References: Exodus 5:12-15; Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23
Tune: Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck, 1626; arranged by Eduard Kremser, 1877 ("We Gather Together")
Text: Copyright © 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Copied from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009).
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net     New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/

Hymn Use Permission: Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009) includes a permission note for those who own this book to use this hymn (along with the 76 other new hymns in the book) in their local church's worship services. People who do not own Songs of Grace are asked to contact Carolyn (bcgillette@comcast.net) for permission to use the hymn and to get a copy of the hymn formatted for worship bulletin use.

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