In the Morning Gathering this Sunday, we will take together the Lord's Supper.  Each time we take the elements together, we sing hymns and songs that serve to focus our thoughts and attention to the cross.  This time of singing has become a rich opportunity for us, as the body of Christ, to express together the extent, sufficiency, and wonder of the atonement and our anticipation of Christ's triumphant return.  

This Sunday we will sing together an ancient hymn of the faith, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.  The text of this hymn, based on a Medieval Latin poem ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux, is one of the oldest hymns we sing corporately, and it's lyric and focus are so very rich.  

I would encourage you to read through the lyrics, or sing this hymn together as a family before we gather this Sunday.  Below are a few questions to assist your discussion as a family or individual study, and the lyrics to this great hymn:

• Take time to note the focus of each verse.
• How does this hymn describe the extent and work of Christ's atonement?
• Take note of the prayer at the end of verse 3.  In what ways are you seeking to increase your affections for Christ?
• How could an intentional time of focus on this ancient hymn heighten your participation in this week's gathering?

Lyrics

O sacred Head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded With thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn;
How does that visage languish, Which once was bright as morn

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, Was all for sinners'; gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, Assist me with Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow To thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never Outlive my love to Thee.