Sunday, April 19 – Communion

WATCHWORD:

Communion —

^23b The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. ²⁷ So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:23b-28 NIV

Meditation:

Communion

When was the last time you received the sacrament of communion? For many of us it was the last time we were in church or the last time it was offered. Pastor Amy (Zion) distributed sanctified elements to our membership during that first week of our isolation. For the next two weeks, I followed Communion instructions, just the Lord and me. Last week I followed the instructions while in FaceTime with a loved one, and will do the same this morning. I still have the blessed wine of communion, but have substituted my bread for the Body of Christ.

Ordinary communion is conducted by an ordained member of the clergy. Extraordinary communion is conducted by a lay-minister in the absence of an ordained minister. Here we are in isolation, possibly the only contact we have with a minister is through technology. I don’t know the shelf-life of a lay-pastor, but I received that blessed title more than 43 years ago, while some may have a true disagreement with the following; while for others… here we go my friends:

1. Examination. This extraordinary communion service is fully completed in the context of prayer. We examine ourselves and confess our sin before Lord.
2. Within our prayer Communion we offer the elements of bread and wine/juice in full remembrance of our Lord and Savior whose death and Resurrection we call to mind and surrender at this time.
3. The Body of Christ: “Our Lord broke the Bread, saying “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me”.
4. The Blood of Christ: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
5. Close: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
6. Closing Blessing. May the Lord bless us and keep us, may the Lord cause His face to shine upon us, and grant us His Peace. Amen.

Bulletin Board:

From Roger and Mim –

“It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world.” — Mary Oliver
“We thank you today, God, for the precious gift of life”. — Mary Oliver

From Stan — What do you call a bee that can’t make up its mind? A Maybee. (Sorry about that.)

From  Graham – Along with reading your meditations and scripture quotes I have tackled NT Wright’s “The Last Word,” –  beyond bible wars to understanding the authority of scripture. With Genesis suspended I hope we are still being in the word as NTW emphasizes the importance of diligent study.

Graham has provided the Closing Prayer.

Closing Prayer:

A century old prayer is a timeless encouragement — Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wisdom hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.