 Moving to weekly communion
After our series on communion this spring, council has been discussing, praying, reading, and talking to you all about moving to a weekly celebration of communion (how most of the church, for most of its history has celebrated communion). I’m excited to say that we will begin celebrating communion every week beginning this Sunday, September 4th.
When we come together in worship each week, there are so many good and wonderful things that happen. From God’s Word proclaimed in preaching, to space created for prayer (spoken & sung), instruction for how to live out the gospel (for adults and kids), and the simple gift of fellowship and encouragement between believers. But at the heart of it all is our encounter with the risen Jesus Christ, and celebrating communion each week puts this encounter front and center. Communion reminds us who we are and whose we are. Through it Christ confronts our sin, and comforts us in our distress. Through it we experience a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. It places Jesus Christ at the center of our worship, which is where he belongs
Now a word about “specialness.” The danger of moving to a weekly celebration is that communion will become less “special.” Which is a danger that we face with anything we do on a regular basis. Whether it’s telling our spouse/kids/parents we love them, reading the Bible, or praying the Lord’s prayer; we are constantly faced with the temptation to go through the motions. To take meaningful words and experiences for granted and empty them of their power. As those who lead in worship, we are seeking different ways to experience and engage communion that highlight different aspects of what it means, in the hopes that it remains fresh and life-giving. As those participating in this celebration, I would ask that we come to the table each week expectantly. Expecting Christ to meet us in our need. Expecting the Holy Spirit to convict and comfort. As we do this, I trust that weekly communion will not only remain “special,” but that God will use it powerfully to shape us more and more into the image of Christ
Yours in Christ,
Mark |
