Every Table is an Altar - Jason Upton

Communion. Defined as the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level1. I've heard it broken up as "Come Union"... come be with someone. A union is a joining of two things together. We talk about the marriage union, the union of states. Unity. A uniting of things together for a common purpose, to create a single entity. 

Every table is an altar

Every breath is a gift from You

Every moment is a treasure

Every day is a kiss from You

In light of the context of communion - the coming together of the church to create unity with God, through the sacrifice of Jesus - what does it mean to view every table as an altar? That every breath, every moment, every day is a gift, a treasure, a kiss from God. Do we want that kind of vulnerability and intimacy with God? Do we seek that kind of unity with Him? 

Our World feels very separated right now. Unity seems so far from possible. Like something that we would grasp at but never quite grab. It is easy to get dragged into social media discussions that feel so far from people seeking unity. 

Every stranger has a story

Every story's being told by You

We're all children on a journey

Jesus, only You can lead us through

What if  we let Jesus tell our story? Tell other people's stories? What if we focused on our union with Jesus above all else. Viewed every table as an altar - a place to come before God and seek unity and intimacy with God. If we all did that, maybe then we could find true union with each other - through our unity in Christ.

Break the bread, pour the wine

Let our hearts, come alive

In Your presence, in Your presence

Let our fear, fall away

Let our faith, rise today

In Your presence, in Your presence

Jesus, Jesus

When we join in that intimacy with God, when we stand together, letting fear fall away - then we will be able to unite in communion with God and each other to truly worship Him.

We will shout Your name, King of glory

We will stand and sing, You are holy

We will pour out praise, You are worthy

Of our lives, now and forever

Let our hearts be awake, God. Let us hear and see and join together with you. Awaken me to your voice, your kiss, your gift.

Every table is an altar

Every breath is a gift from You

Every moment is a treasure

Every day is a kiss from You

Every table is an altar

Every breath is a gift from You

Every moment is a treasure

Every day is a kiss from You

So let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

Let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

Break the bread, pour the wine

Let our hearts, come alive

In Your presence, in Your presence

Let our fear, fall away

Let our faith, rise today

In Your presence, in Your presence

Jesus, Jesus

Every stranger has a story

Every story's being told by You

We're all children on a journey

Jesus, only You can lead us through

This is our prayer tonight…

So let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

Oh, Let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

Oh, break the bread, pour the wine

Let our hearts, come alive

In Your presence, in Your presence

Let our fear, fall away

Let our faith, rise today

In Your presence, in Your presence

Jesus, oh-oh-oh-ohh, ohhhh

Jesus, oh-oh-oh-ohh, ohhhh

Jesus, Jesus

We will shout Your name, King of glory

We will stand and sing, You are holy

We will pour out praise, You are worthy

Of our lives, now and forever

We will shout Your name, King of glory

We will stand and sing, You are holy

We will pour out praise, You are worthy

Of our lives, now and forever

We will shout Your name, King of glory

We will stand and sing, You are holy

We will pour out praise, You are worthy

Of our lives, now and forever

Let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

So let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

That's our prayer

Let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

Let our hearts

Be awake, be awake

Break the bread tonight…

Break the bread, pour the wine

Let our hearts, come alive

In Your presence, in Your presence

Let our fear, fall away

Let our faith, rise today

In Your presence, in Your presence

Oh Lord, we will shout Your name

We will shout Your name, King of glory

We will stand and sing, You are holy

We will pour out praise, You are worthy

Of our lives, now and forever

Of our lives, now and forever

Of our lives, now and forever

Break the bread, pour the wine

Let our hearts, come alive

In Your presence, in Your presence

Let our fear, fall away

Let our faith, rise today

In Your presence, in Your presence

Jesus, Jesus

Oh, let our fear fall away tonight

Let our fear be replaced with Your love tonight

Oh, let our fear fall away, fall away, fall away, in Your love

Oh, let our fear fall away, fall away, fall away, in Your love tonight

Let our fear fall away, fall away, fall away, in Your love tonight

Oh God

We break the bread, pour the wine

Let our hearts, come alive

In Your presence, in Your presence

So let our fear, fall away

Let our faith, rise today

In Your presence, in Your presence

So, break the bread, the wine

Oh, break the bread, pour the wine

Let our hearts, come alive

In Your presence, in Your presence

So let our fear, fall away

Let our faith, rise today

In Your presence, in Your presence

Jesus

Every stranger has a story

Every story's being told by You

We're all children on a journey

Jesus, only You can lead us through

Jesus, only You can lead us through

Jesus, only You can lead us through