At FCC we partake in communion each and every time we gather for worship. For those unfamiliar with our church this can be a new experience. This page will have 2 parts: first is a “How To” section describing the ins and outs of taking communion this morning. The second section describes why we take communion and what it means to some of our Elders.
The most important thing to remember is that this table represents all the love and grace that God has for us. This love and grace is given by God to everyone. Therefore ALL who believe in Christ are welcome to partake in communion
HOW TO take communion:
The deacons will pass 2 trays down each pew. In the first tray there are small pieces of bread. These represent the broken body of Christ. Take one of these small pieces of bread and eat it as you pass the tray to the next person.
The second tray contains little cups filled with grape juice. These represent the spilled blood of Christ. Take one of these small cups of juice and drink it, placing the empty cup back into the tray before passing it to the next person.
Communion is usually a quiet time during our service. Like the Words of Institution (that we speak each week as a part of our communion service) remind us: Jesus tells us to eat this bread and drink this cup to remember his broken body and blood shed on the cross. It is through his life, death, and resurrection that we have eternal life. Many worshipers use this quiet time to reflect on their week and how this promise has effected them.
The Elders are the individuals who stand at the table and lead the congregation in communion. Outside of worship they also have an important spiritual role in the life of the church. Therefore I have asked them for some of their thoughts on communion as a way to help us all understand it better.
What does the communion table represent to you?
“The coming together for all Christians, not necessarily physically, but spiritually.”
“Incredible love, forgiveness and life after death.:
“The act of grace that Jesus did for me personally by taking my sins upon himself and the atoning act of sacrifice that reconciles my relationship to God.”
Why do we as a collective congregation take communion?
“It is important for us to collective focus on the source of our salvation.”
“We take communion together just like the scriptures says the early church did.”
“We partake as a community of faith to be reminded of the universality of God’s love and grace.”
Why do you personally take communion?
“I need this spiritual food & time to let what I'm doing “digest."
“I partake of communion whenever it is offered as an opportunity to be reminded of this act of grace.”
“I need to remember every week in worship just what our creator God and Jesus did for me and show my gratitude for those incredible gifts. Communion gives me that opportunity, when I can, for a brief 5 minutes or so, shut out the world and thank them both wholeheartedly”
Why is it important to take Communion?
“To acknowledge to God that we know He will be with us and to thank Him for sending his Son to show us the way.”
“The importance of taking communion is where I re-energize my Christian faith through the actual partaking of the bread and the juice. When I don't do this every week, I miss it and long for that fellowship with my Christian comrades and with God.”
What is the most important part of communion?
“That we take it with our family, both our biological family that may be present, but even more so our church family.”
“The most important part of communion for me is the quiet time, after we've read the Words of Institution and the elements are being passed. That's when my strongest connection to God, in the entire service, occurs.”
“The most important is to be reminded that these are the words of Jesus to me ..... “take and eat...drink from the cup.”
“the community of faith that is sharing this spiritual food with me”
“That all are welcome, not just members of the church”
Feel free to leave your own thoughts or questions regarding communion down in the comments. I would also love some of your answers to these questions!
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