The Lord's Supper
The Lord’s Supper
W-2.4001 Jesus and the Supper The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus as He sat with His disciples to celebrate Passover. This example became for The Church one of two Sacraments celebrated in Reformed and Evangelical denominations; the otherbeing Baptism. Both have their roots in the Old Testament; Baptism is the New Testament equivalent of circumcision; now available to every believer regardless of gender. The Lord’s Supper – Holy Communion – is the New Testament equivalent of Passover, commemorating for believers the ‘passing over’ of spiritual death through the saving sacrifice of Jesus. This is Grace. The Lord’s Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord. During His earthly ministry Jesus shared meals with His followers as a sign of community and acceptance and as an occasion for His own ministry. He celebrated Israel’s feasts of covenant commemoration. In His last meal before His death, Jesus took and shared with His disciples the bread and wine, speaking of them as His body and blood, signs of the new covenant. He commended breaking bread and sharing the cup to remember and proclaim His death. The Invitation to The Lord’s Table The invitation to the Lord’s Supper is extended to all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, remembering that access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. In preparing to receive Christ in this Sacrament, the believer is to confess sin and brokenness, to seek reconciliation with God and neighbor, and to trust in Jesus Christ for cleansing and renewal. Even one who doubts or whose trust is wavering may come to the Table in order to be assured and reassured of God’s love and grace in Christ Jesus. Bringing Forth the Elders Would the Elders who will serve come forward. Words of Institution Let us reverently attend now to the Words of Institution of The Lord’s Supper. On the night in which He was betrayed, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “This is My body, broken for you. Take and eat, in remembrance of Me.” After the same manner, He took the cup after He had supped, saying, “This is the New Covenant in My blood – shed for the remission of sin. Drink Ye – all – of it.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you do show The Lord’s death until He comes again. Let us pray. The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup, that we, and all who share this feast, may be one with Christ and He with us. Here we offer ourselves to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. In your mercy, accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Fill us with the joy of eternal life, that we may be Your faithful people until we feast with You in glory. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, for ever and ever. It is through Christ our Lord that we make our prayer. Hear us aswe pray as He taught us: Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. The Calling The feast of God for the people of God. Won’t you come? |