HAPPY NEW YEAR: CELEBRATE THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience. Through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, we memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming. This Sunday, in celebration of our Savior and the New Year, we will share Communion. Like Communion that we observe in worship, this is an open Communion (you don’t need to be a member to participate).
The artwork above is an image found on the Internet, credited to Sieger Koder (German priest-artist, 1925- ), titled "The Last Supper." The painting is from the perspective of Christ facing his disciples. You see Jesus' face reflected in the cup of red wine and the Chi Rho symbol in the broken bread.
Approach Communion with these three perspectives:
1. Remember the Past
The Israelites were often commanded to "remember" God's acts of faithfulness through meals and celebrations. Through Communion, Jesus has given us an instruction to continually remember that our blessings were purchased through a costly price: the forgiveness of our sins by the shedding of Christ's blood.
2. Enjoy the Present
As followers of Christ, we are in fellowship with each other. When we join together for Communion, we are together in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Again, as in the Old Testament, this is a joyous meal and celebration (Exod. 24:11).
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience. Through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, we memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming. This Sunday, in celebration of our Savior and the New Year, we will share Communion. Like Communion that we observe in worship, this is an open Communion (you don’t need to be a member to participate).
The artwork above is an image found on the Internet, credited to Sieger Koder (German priest-artist, 1925- ), titled "The Last Supper." The painting is from the perspective of Christ facing his disciples. You see Jesus' face reflected in the cup of red wine and the Chi Rho symbol in the broken bread.
Approach Communion with these three perspectives:
1. Remember the Past
The Israelites were often commanded to "remember" God's acts of faithfulness through meals and celebrations. Through Communion, Jesus has given us an instruction to continually remember that our blessings were purchased through a costly price: the forgiveness of our sins by the shedding of Christ's blood.
2. Enjoy the Present
As followers of Christ, we are in fellowship with each other. When we join together for Communion, we are together in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Again, as in the Old Testament, this is a joyous meal and celebration (Exod. 24:11).
3. Look Forward to the Future
Each time we proclaim His death through Communion, we are also reminded that He is returning. In His death, burial and resurrection Christ was removed from us physically. The Holy Spirit now gives us Christ's presence. When He returns, our faith will become sight. The future dimension recognizes the tension of Christian experience – we enjoy now only the first-fruits, and long for the full harvest (Rom. 8:18,23).
Prepare for Communion:
1. Read Matthew 26:17-36; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your sins and then confess them.
3. Pray the following prayer for Generosity by St. Ignatius:
“Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.”
This month we also start our new study series “The Roads Less Traveled.” We will look at some spiritual disciplines. These disciplines are not always easy. But, our study will discuss how these disciplines prepare us for and are a part of a Christian lifestyle.
This week’s study is “A Lifestyle of Community.” A Christian lifestyle is not an individual matter. Becoming a Christ follower means becoming a part of His body – His family. God hasn’t created His followers to be individual islands of faith. God’s plan for believers is that they grow in their faith through interaction and involvement with other believers. Each observance of the Lord's Supper is a great opportunity to get closer to the Lord and fellowship with each other.
As we celebrate the New Year together this Sunday, we will also celebrate our Savior. I look forward to Communion with you this Sunday. Remember, God who created everything is still in control of His creation. Keep praying for each other, caring for each other and take care of your families. John
Doing LIFE together.
Homebuilders LIFE Group: Learning the Scripture / Involvement in Service / Fellowship – Sharing Life / Evangelism of Seekers
Each time we proclaim His death through Communion, we are also reminded that He is returning. In His death, burial and resurrection Christ was removed from us physically. The Holy Spirit now gives us Christ's presence. When He returns, our faith will become sight. The future dimension recognizes the tension of Christian experience – we enjoy now only the first-fruits, and long for the full harvest (Rom. 8:18,23).
Prepare for Communion:
1. Read Matthew 26:17-36; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your sins and then confess them.
3. Pray the following prayer for Generosity by St. Ignatius:
“Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.”
This month we also start our new study series “The Roads Less Traveled.” We will look at some spiritual disciplines. These disciplines are not always easy. But, our study will discuss how these disciplines prepare us for and are a part of a Christian lifestyle.
This week’s study is “A Lifestyle of Community.” A Christian lifestyle is not an individual matter. Becoming a Christ follower means becoming a part of His body – His family. God hasn’t created His followers to be individual islands of faith. God’s plan for believers is that they grow in their faith through interaction and involvement with other believers. Each observance of the Lord's Supper is a great opportunity to get closer to the Lord and fellowship with each other.
As we celebrate the New Year together this Sunday, we will also celebrate our Savior. I look forward to Communion with you this Sunday. Remember, God who created everything is still in control of His creation. Keep praying for each other, caring for each other and take care of your families. John
Doing LIFE together.
Homebuilders LIFE Group: Learning the Scripture / Involvement in Service / Fellowship – Sharing Life / Evangelism of Seekers
