Communion - 2023

This is the time where we look back and reflect on the Last Supper, Jesus with His disciples. Jesus, fittingly, wanted to spend His last earthly ministry moments with His disciples: Luke 22:19-22 NKJV records it this way, "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." His body broken supports the prophet Isaiah’s prophecy that “He was wounded for our transgressions…bruised for our iniquities…and by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.” (Isa 53:5) His shed blood points to the Book of Hebrews to justify/verify that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” (Heb 9:22) His sacrifice grants us grace and salvation eternal. The Apostle Paul in addressing the Corinthian church wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (AMP) exhorts us to "prayerfully examine our self and our relationship with Christ" Let us take a moment to do just that. (Pause then pray) Prayer: "Thank You Father that You have promised to hear the prayers and petitions of Your servants. Help us to prepare our heart as we partake of the elements, which are the beautiful symbols of Christ body – broken for me and His precious blood – shed for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Please join me in our confession to God.

Confession: “Father, today I acknowledge anew that my Lord Jesus was wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquity and died on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay the redemption price for my sins.

As I come to this communion table today, in my heart there’s grateful remembrance of what You did for me at Calvary, with a heart full of humble thanksgiving.

I confess that I am imperfect and failed at loving You and my neighbor as MYSELF SO I ask that You would cleanse me of all my wrongdoings and self-centered thoughts. Thank You that I have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and clothed in Your own righteousness, by grace through faith. I praise Your name and will continue to do so for ever and ever, Amen.”

Let us prepare to receive Communion. (Servers come forward) The Apostle Paul gave instructions on the correct way to celebrate the Lord's Supper. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NRSV) "For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."- 1 Cor 11:23-26 NRSV