For World Communion Sunday, a hymn assures that ‘we’re global, connected, and shaped by [God’s] love’
Presbyterian hymnwriter the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette offers ‘O God, by Your Mercy, We Come to This Place’
LOUISVILLE — Ahead of World Communion Sunday, the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written “O God, by Your Mercy, We Come to This Place.” The music is available here. It’s set to the tune of “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.”
“This hymn can be used on World Communion Sunday and on other Sundays when the Lord's Supper is celebrated,” the hymnwriter and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) pastor wrote on her website. “It was originally written in support of the PC(USA)'s World Communion Offering.”
The fourth verse, she noted, is specific to the PC(USA)’s World Communion Offering, and can be left out or adapted by other churches and at other times.
Permission is given for free use of this hymn.
O God, by Your Mercy, We Come to This Place
ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise")
O God, by your mercy we come to this place.
We feast at your table on gifts of your grace.
We taste your forgiveness, then learn what to do:
"Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly" with you.
O Christ, we're not strangers or enemies here.
For we're at your table, and you've made it clear:
We all are God's children, and blessed from above,
we're global, connected, and shaped by your love.
Lord, we look around and see hate everywhere.
Yet, you've shown us grace! It's a gift we're to share.
May we share this grace till your blessings increase
through justice and dialogue, kindness, and peace.
Through missions and meetings where justice is shown,
though co-ops where farmers learn they're not alone,
through YAVs who are willing to try something new,
God, make us good partners in working with you.
O Spirit, we pray that you'll move through the church,
till peace, love and unity cover the earth.
O God, bless these gifts with your grace from above,
till others find joy in the feast of your love.
Tune: Traditional Welsh hymn, in John Robert's Caniadau y Cyssegr (Songs of the Sanctuary), 1839 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise")
Text: Copyright © 2026 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
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