As Grain on Scattered Hillsides- 491

As grain on scattered hillsides, when gathered, makes one bread,
God, gather all your people as one in Christ our head.
We come from many places and we are not the same,
yet your strong love has called us to meet in Jesus’ name.

A grain of wheat is fruitless until in earth it lies;
then, dying to its old life, it bears and multiplies.
So may we die to hatred, to all our hurtful ways,
reborn to common living, to love, to work, to praise.

Like yeast that brings new ferment so lifeless dough may rise,
your Spirit is the leaven of life that satisfies.
As salt enhances flavor, enriches, and preserves,
may earth rejoice to savor a church that heals and serves.

O Christ, our risen Savior; O Spirit, holy dove,
come now and move among us; make us a sign of love.
Come, knead and blend each texture with strong and gentle hands,
that we may be one body, one loaf in many hands.