In this article, we will discover different hymns for communion. This list works great for churches, small groups, or for personal time taking the Lord’s supper.
Finding the right worship music or hymn for communion can be hard sometimes if you have gone through your favorites. So, I thought it would be nice to share some powerful hymns that you might not have thought of. For many, these hymns serve as a reminder of God’s grace and mercy and offer an opportunity to come together in prayer and worship. Most of the focus is on the cross and the blood He shed on Calvary.
Some of these hymns have been around for awhile, while others are more on the modern hymn side. No matter if it’s a classic hymn or modern, they serve as a meaningful and powerful way to connect to the Lord and experience His presence. And the great thing about these hymns for communion is that they can be used in a small devotional setting or on a large scale like a church service.
Hymns for Communion
In the list below, you will have the name of the hymn, the writer, a portion of the lyrics, and a youtube video of the song. I hope this is helpful in your search!
Looking for inspiration for Easter? Check out these…25 Easter Songs For A Powerful Worship Service
Amazing Grace (How Sweet The Sound)
Amazing Grace was written by John Newton in 1772. It is a beautiful and powerful classic that works well for taking the Lord’s supper.
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone is a modern rendition of Amazing Grace. Chris Tomlin wrote this version. I have heard musicians do a mash-up of both versions…it’s beautiful!
My chains are gone, I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love Amazing grace The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures
Are You Washed In the Blood?
Elisha Hoffman, a Presbyterian minister, wrote this classic in 1878.
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood? In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
This is one of my favorite hymns! I tend to sing it at night when I can’t sleep. Robert Lowry wrote this wonderful hymn. I am unsure when it was written, but Lowry lived between 1826-1899.
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; no other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.
The Power of the Cross
This is a modern hymn written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty in 2005. I love the story behind the hymn…
I wrote this song with Keith Getty, and it’s one of a number of story songs we have written together. I feel it’s important we understand that our faith is not merely a philosophy, a series of transcendent thoughts about what God might be like, or even a collection of fables and allegories – our faith is rooted in history, in things that have actually happened on this planet, and are backed up by evidence. We have a true story to tell.
The song paints the picture of that Good Friday when Christ was tried, beaten, nailed to a cross, suffered and died, and the chorus tries to explain the significance of it all. Then the last verse effectively paints us into that picture, for it is our name written in His wounds. (source)
O, to see the dawn of the darkest day Christ on the road to Calvary Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then Nailed to a cross of wood. This the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us. Took the blame, bore the wrath; We stand forgiven at the cross. O, to see the pain written on Your face, Bearing the awesome weight of sin. Every bitter thought, every evil deed Crowning the bloodstained brow. This the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us. Took the blame, bore the wrath; We stand forgiven at the cross.
In Christ Alone
This is another one of my favorites, and I think it’s a wonderful hymn for communion. It’s a powerful song that declares so much truth about the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. This one is also a modern hymn written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty in 2001.
In Christ alone who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ
There is a Fountain
William Cowper wrote this hymn in 1772, and it was inspired by Zechariah 13:1.
There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains: Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains. The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away: Wash all my sins away, Wash all my sins away; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
Edward Mote wrote around 100 hymns and this is one of his most famous ones that he wrote on 1834.
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand
There is Power in the Blood
Out of 200+ hymns the Power in the Blood is considered Lewis E. Jones most popular song. It was written in 1899.
Would you be free from your burden of sin There's power in the blood power in the blood Would you o'er evil a victory win There's wonderful power in the blood There is power power wonder working power in the blood of the lamb There is power power wonder working power in the precious blood of lamb Would you be whiter much wither than snow There's power in the blood power in the blood Sin's stains are lost and it's life giving flow There's one flicker power in the blood
The Wonderful Cross
Chris Tomlin does it again with this modern rendition of the classic hymn, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts in 1707.
When I survey the wondrous Cross On which the Prince of Glory died My richest gain, I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride See from His head, His hands, His feet Sorrow and love flow mingled down Did ever such love and sorrow meet? Or thorns compose, so rich a crown Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live Oh the wonderful Cross, oh the wonderful Cross All who gather here by grace, draw near and bless Your name
He Touched Me
This semi-modern hymn was written in 1963 by the Bill Gaither.
Shackled by a heavy burden, 'Neath a load of guilt and shame. Then the hand of Jesus touched me, And now I am no longer the same. He touched me, Oh He touched me, And oh the joy that floods my soul! Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole. Since I met this blessed Savior, Since He cleansed and made me whole, I will never cease to praise Him, I'll shout it while eternity rolls. He touched me, Oh He touched me, And oh the joy that floods my soul!
I Lift My Hands
Here is another modern hymn from Chris Tomlin. It’s a hymn that encourages worship after taking communion. This song was released in 2010 on his album And If Our God Is for Us…
Be still, there is a healer His love is deeper than the sea His mercy, it is unfailing His arms are a fortress for the weak Let faith arise Let faith arise I lift my hands to believe again You are my refuge, You are my strength As I pour out my heart, these things I remember You are faithful, God, forever Be still, there is a river That flows from Calvary's tree A fountain for the thirsty Pure grace that washes over me
Tell Me the Story of Jesus
William Henry Parker wrote this lovely hymn in 1885.
Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. Tell how the angels, in chorus, sang as they welcomed His birth, "Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth." Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.
Jesus Paid it All
Jesus Paid It All was written in 1865 by Elvina M. Hall.
I hear the savior say Thy strength indeed is small Child of weakness watch and pray Find in me thine all in all Jesus paid it all All to him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow Lord, now indeed I find Thy power and thine alone Came and changed the lepers spots And it melt the heart of stone
The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard was a prolific hymn writer and in 1912 he penned this beautiful classic.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross The emblem of suffering and shame And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain So I'll cherish the old rugged cross (rugged cross) Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown
I hope you have enjoyed these communion hymns and that you found one or two that would work wonderfully for the Lord’s Supper. If you have any other hymns you would love to see on this list. Please feel free to drop your suggestions below in the comments.
Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner of the Bible. She has been involved in church and vocational ministry for over 18 years. And is the founder of Think About Such Things. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading.
She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine. Read More…