Communion Feb 2020

As we enter our time where we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus through communion we are celebrating something

When Jesus lived as one of us in history, he was brought up in a system of religion that was structured to help people understand their own sinfulness and their deep need for someone to save them. As part of this religious system there was the practice of sacrificing animals for the forgiveness of sins. Some of the animals blood was also used to purify objects in the religious center for the people of Israel, the Tabernacle.

The problem was, these sacrifices were never enough. More always had to be offered. So God set about to provide a better sacrifice, one that would never have to be repeated. For the sins of everyone.

Hebrews 9:23–28 NLT

23 That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals. 24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. 25 And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. 26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. 27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

In participating in communion or Lord’s Supper, we take bread and juice remembering the work that Jesus did so that we can share in the salvation that he makes available to us.

When Jesus was with his closest friends he said to them. Whenever you take these symbols, this bread which represents my body given for you and this cup which represents my blood shed for you, you tell each other and the world about my sacrifice for all of humanity, for each of you.

In taking the bread and the cup we reflect on how God has saved us from our sin through Jesus, and we celebrate that he has saved us now and in the future when the resurrected Jesus will come to take us home.

In communion I do not bring anything, any sacrifice I could bring would never be enough. In communion I recognize that only Jesus could rescue me from my sin, only his sacrifice is enough.

So, if you want to say yes to Jesus today and are willing to take the bread and the juice as a symbol that you are remembering his sacrifice for you and the people around you, and as a testimony to the world the join in.

We’ll pass out the bread and then take it together and then do the same with the Juice.

Bread: Nolan will pray before we take the bread.

This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. Whenever you eat this bread you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Cup: Craig

Jesus, before we take this juice, remembering your sacrifice, we recognize that you are the ultimate sacrifice for our sin: past, present and future. Because of your sacrifice we are free from the power and penalty of sin. Thank-you. You took the death we deserved. You took the punishment we deserved, and through your blood we are made right with you. Thank-you.

This is the new covenant in my blood, do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. Whenever you drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

First Service:

Pete W. / Ralph and Shirley / Nolan / Craig /

Ralph and Shirley

Second Service:

Theresa and Ron / Jeff and Pat /