I grew up singing about fellowship. Have you ever stopped and thought about the many songs we sing about this important subject? Fellowship is such a rich and uplifting experience, it’s no wonder so many beautiful songs have been written about it. On any given Lord’s day, there are countless Christians all over the world celebrating the fellowship we enjoy in Jesus Christ by singing and praising God in song about this marvelous concept.
The English word “fellowship” translates a Greek word, koinonia, which literally means “joint participation.” We are jointly participating in the cause of Christ as members of his church. And if we are “walking in the light as he is in the light” how glorious and rewarding is that Christian fellowship. Below are the words to some of the songs I have learned over the years dealing with fellowship, which I would like to share with you. I hope this will be encouraging to you to ponder the words to some of the many songs we sing about our fellowship with God and with one another. See how many you remember:
“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.” “When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Then in fellowship sweet, we will sit at his feet or we’ll walk by his side in the way. What he says we will do, where he sends we will go, never fear only trust and obey.” “Farewell mortality, Jesus is mine! Welcome eternity, Jesus is mine! Welcome, oh loved and blest, welcome sweet scenes of rest, welcome my Savior’s breast. Jesus is mine!” “A common love for each other, a common gift to the Savior, a common bond holding us to the Lord, A common strength when we’re weary, a common hope for tomorrow, a common joy in the truth of God’s word.” “Thou my everlasting portion, more than friend or life to me; All along my pilgrim journey, Savior let me walk with thee.” “Bind us together Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.” “Closer to thee, near to thy side; Closer dear Lord, I would abide; Hold me in thy embrace, ‘neath every smile of grace, Grant me, thy child, a place closer to thee.” “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.” “Blessed Jesus hold my hand. Yes, I need thee every hour though this land, this pilgrim land, by thy saving power.” “And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry; Sometimes we share together heartaches and sighs; Sometimes we dream together of how it will be when we all get to heaven, God’s family.” “Jesus, let us come to know you, let us see you face to face; Touch us, hold us, use us, mold us, only let us live in you.” “I love the thrill that I feel when I get together with God’s wonderful people..What a sight just to see all the happy faces praising God in heavenly places; What a thrill that I feel when I get together with God’s wonderful people. It can be just anywhere two or three are gathered there, that the spirit of the Lord will be there too; There’s no fellowship so sweet, there’s no thrill that can compete with the thrill I feel whenever God’s children meet.” “Just a closer walk with thee. Grant it Jesus, this my plea; Daily let it ever be, just a closer walk with thee.” “How sweet, how heavenly is the sight when those that love the Lord in one another’s peace delight, and so fulfill the word.” “Let me live close to thee, Guide me all along the way, Let me live close to thee, Let me walk close to thee each day.” “Onward then ye people, join our happy throng; Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.” “My God and I go in the fields together, we walk and talk as good friends should and do; We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter, My God and I walk through the meadow’s hue.” “O Master let me walk with thee in lowly paths of service free; Tell me thy secret, help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care. In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future’s broadening way, In peace that only thou canst give, with thee, O Master, let me live.” “Love is much too pure and holy, friendship is too sacred far, for a moment’s reckless folly thus to desolate and mar.” “Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth; Her charter of salvation: One Lord, One faith, One birth; One holy name she blesses, partakes one heavenly food, and to one hope she presses with every grace endued.” Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord, and thus surround the throne.” “Hand in hand we walk each day, Hand in hand along the way, Walking thus I will not stray, Hand in hand with Jesus.
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
Singing About Fellowship