Communion Sermon Series – June 2016
On the night of Jesus’ arrest, our Lord sat down with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal, a thankful remembrance of God’s faithfulness to rescue Israel through the shed blood of spotless lambs. This meal had been celebrated for centuries, but on this night, Jesus said something quite startling: “This bread is my body broken for you” and “this cup is the new covenant in my blood shed for you.” He made clear that celebrating this meal would be a present participation in his sacrifice on behalf of his people throughout the church in the centuries to follow. Jesus also implied that this meal would look forward to that ancient-future hope, when he would again sit down and drink of the fruit of the vine at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” Do you know why we celebrate this meal? Do you know how Jesus meets us as we take it in faith? Do you know the hope we proclaim before a watching world each time we eat the bread and drink from the cup? Join us each Sunday, June 5-19, as we consider this Communion meal, given by Jesus to build up His church. We believe this is an important series in the life of our congregation, and we hope you will plan to be with us.
June 5: Communion as Thankful Remembrance – Exodus 12:14-27, Luke 22:14-20
June 12: Communion as Present Participation – 1 Corinthians 10:15-17, 11:23-29
June 19: Communion as Ancient-Future Hope – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Revelation 19:6-9
What Should you Expect at a Communion Service at Calvary
How does it work? After explaining the purpose of communion and reading Jesus’ words from the night of his betrayal, the pastor will invite you to come forward to receive the bread and the cup via the center aisle. Rows will be dismissed from the back by an usher. You will receive the elements from the elders standing up front on your side of the sanctuary.
When do we eat the bread and drink from the cup? You will take the bread and cup back to your seat, and we will take the elements together as prompted by the pastor.
What if I cannot come forward? Each communion service, an elder will follow behind the usher with a tray of bread juice and will offer communion to any professing believer who is unable to come forward but wishes to participate in communion. We will make sure that all professing believers are welcome at the table.
What should I do if I’m not a believer? We will invite everyone to come forward, but if you are not a believer in Christ, we will ask that you pass by the elements and observe. You are also welcome to remain in your seat, if you so choose. Our prayer is that you would believe in Christ Jesus, as your only hope of salvation and that you will be able to join us in the future.