THIS WEEK: Holy Communion
Background Information: (Taken from Colaborate Leaders Guide)
For being so central to the Christian faith, Holy Communion has a bit of an identity crisis. Is it an act of remembering Jesus the pwerson? A magical meal? Sometimes we're not even sure what to call it: The Lord's Supper? The Holy Eucharist? It's all very messy--like a great dinner party.
Like Baptism, Holy Communion is a sacrament--God's Word giving God's promise along with a physical element. Because Jesus is truly present in the elements of bread and wine, we believe this sacrament is effective in giving us the things Jesus promised--namely, forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Jesus commanded his disciples to take and eat and drink the bread and wine, and to "do this in remembrance of me." But the sacrament of Holy Communion is not just a way of remembering Jesus-if that were the case, it would be something we do, but it's really something God does. Instead, when we come together in what can well be described as communion (that is, fellowship or community), we're uniting as the body of Christ to recall and receive God's promises to us.
A good (albeit necessarily incomplete) understanding of communion comes from that distinction--God is the one at work in communion, not us. We're not sacrificing Jesus again every time we share this meal. We're not doing hocus-pocus to turn bread into flesh. Instead, God, in Jesus, has already done what we cannot do for ourselves. God is already present in, with, and under the elements.
While the identity crisis of Holy Communion can lead us to more questions than we started with, such as how to distribute the sacrament or who gets it, the place to which we return is simple, even in it's complexity: This is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This meal is for you. Do this and remember.
Background Information: (Taken from Colaborate Leaders Guide)
For being so central to the Christian faith, Holy Communion has a bit of an identity crisis. Is it an act of remembering Jesus the pwerson? A magical meal? Sometimes we're not even sure what to call it: The Lord's Supper? The Holy Eucharist? It's all very messy--like a great dinner party.
Like Baptism, Holy Communion is a sacrament--God's Word giving God's promise along with a physical element. Because Jesus is truly present in the elements of bread and wine, we believe this sacrament is effective in giving us the things Jesus promised--namely, forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Jesus commanded his disciples to take and eat and drink the bread and wine, and to "do this in remembrance of me." But the sacrament of Holy Communion is not just a way of remembering Jesus-if that were the case, it would be something we do, but it's really something God does. Instead, when we come together in what can well be described as communion (that is, fellowship or community), we're uniting as the body of Christ to recall and receive God's promises to us.
A good (albeit necessarily incomplete) understanding of communion comes from that distinction--God is the one at work in communion, not us. We're not sacrificing Jesus again every time we share this meal. We're not doing hocus-pocus to turn bread into flesh. Instead, God, in Jesus, has already done what we cannot do for ourselves. God is already present in, with, and under the elements.
While the identity crisis of Holy Communion can lead us to more questions than we started with, such as how to distribute the sacrament or who gets it, the place to which we return is simple, even in it's complexity: This is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This meal is for you. Do this and remember.
Share a high from the past week.
Share a low from the past week.
Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well!
What do you consider the best part of receiving communion in worship?
Share a low from the past week.
Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well!
What do you consider the best part of receiving communion in worship?
Luke 22:14-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
What sounds familiar in these verses?
What do you do during communion? How do you receive the bread and the wine? Do you say anything?
Why do you think our church does communion the way it does?
What do you do during communion? How do you receive the bread and the wine? Do you say anything?
Why do you think our church does communion the way it does?
God, thank you for the gift of communion. In your Son's body and blood we are reminded of the gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation. Amen
End your time together with the following blessing, marking the cross of Christ on your forehead as a reminder of your baptism. Parents/Guardians be sure to have your child mark your forehead as well!
(Name), you are a Child of God!
(Name), you are a Child of God!
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