Communion in your Church

[Kabowd]

I dont know how to explain it, but yes its more important than worship.

I don't know how to explain it either, but I think I know what you're trying to say (correct me if I'm wrong). For me, communion is unique in that it's something Jesus modeled for us and demonstrated for us in a very intimate way. I believe it's a form of worship, but very different from other forms of worship. On one hand it's intimate because you reflect on your own life while taking it and it's a moment between yourself and God...but at the same time it's communal because you're partaking in it with other members of the Body and sharing in this remembrance together. Yeah...I still can't really explain it.

[Scarletprayers]

I dont know how to explain it, but yes its more important than worship.

I don't know how to explain it either, but I think I know what you're trying to say (correct me if I'm wrong). For me, communion is unique in that it's something Jesus modeled for us and demonstrated for us in a very intimate way. I believe it's a form of worship, but very different from other forms of worship. On one hand it's intimate because you reflect on your own life while taking it and it's a moment between yourself and God...but at the same time it's communal because you're partaking in it with other members of the Body and sharing in this remembrance together. Yeah...I still can't really explain it.

Honey thank you, thats exactly what it feels like for me!

[Fiosh]

I dont know how to explain it, but yes its more important than worship.

I don't know how to explain it either, but I think I know what you're trying to say (correct me if I'm wrong). For me, communion is unique in that it's something Jesus modeled for us and demonstrated for us in a very intimate way. I believe it's a form of worship, but very different from other forms of worship. On one hand it's intimate because you reflect on your own life while taking it and it's a moment between yourself and God...but at the same time it's communal because you're partaking in it with other members of the Body and sharing in this remembrance together. Yeah...I still can't really explain it.

Honey thank you, thats exactly what it feels like for me!

Thanks, for the explanation Kabowd & Silentprayer. I can relate to the feeling of community, even though our beliefs don't exactly match.

I like the way you expressed this: "On one hand it's intimate... it's a moment between yourself and God...but at the same time it's communal"

For me, it is an intensely private moment between Jesus and me. Still, the realization that we are all one Body is very strong.

Yep, hard to explain.

Why do you think Jesus used bread AND wine....not just bread?

[Floatingaxe]

Bread and wine = Body and Blood. The Life is in His Blood.

[Phil.2:12]

Hi again,

I know you guys don't believe in Real Presence. But I do respect your reverence for the Communion service.

This is not a trick question.....But, I hear different explanations of how Jesus is "present" in the service---- What is your church's understanding of how "Jesus is in residence"? What I mean is, is His presence in the Communion service somehow different than His presence in every worship service?

Thanks,

F

Sorry I've taken so much time to get back to you, but at times my internet connection acts up. So I then engage in other activities which causes me to delay in getting back on the net.

I have read the other posts in this thread and there seems to be a common denominator running throutgh all of them. However it might be expressed, that denominator is the very real "presence" of Jesus at the commemoration of the Supper He had with His Disciples and wants us to observe, as they did, this powerful time with Him at a special celebration of the last supper He celebratedwith His Disciples and, through the Apostle Paul has asked His body to do it in remembrance of Him. Most assuredly, He makes His presence known whenever He is remembered whether it be weekly, monthly, or periodically throughout the year as the posts in this thread testify to. So, to answer your question, yes, Jesus is very real in a very special way to us whenever we observe His supper. He is there in a way unlike He is at any other time in our church.

When we reflect upon what Jesus did for us, especially in the price He paid so that He could pay our sin debt, it draws us very close to Jesus in a way that is really hard to put into words. It is an experience that must be felt, not described, for only when you feel the presence of Jesus at His supper in rembrance of Him can you truly understand what communion is really all about.

[Fiosh]

Hi again,

I know you guys don't believe in Real Presence. But I do respect your reverence for the Communion service.

This is not a trick question.....But, I hear different explanations of how Jesus is "present" in the service---- What is your church's understanding of how "Jesus is in residence"? What I mean is, is His presence in the Communion service somehow different than His presence in every worship service?

Thanks,

F

Sorry I've taken so much time to get back to you, but at times my internet connection acts up. So I then engage in other activities which causes me to delay in getting back on the net.

I have read the other posts in this thread and there seems to be a common denominator running throutgh all of them. However it might be expressed, that denominator is the very real "presence" of Jesus at the commemoration of the Supper He had with His Disciples and wants us to observe, as they did, this powerful time with Him at a special celebration of the last supper He celebratedwith His Disciples and, through the Apostle Paul has asked His body to do it in remembrance of Him. Most assuredly, He makes His presence known whenever He is remembered whether it be weekly, monthly, or periodically throughout the year as the posts in this thread testify to. So, to answer your question, yes, Jesus is very real in a very special way to us whenever we observe His supper. He is there in a way unlike He is at any other time in our church.

When we reflect upon what Jesus did for us, especially in the price He paid so that He could pay our sin debt, it draws us very close to Jesus in a way that is really hard to put into words. It is an experience that must be felt, not described, for only when you feel the presence of Jesus at His supper in rembrance of Him can you truly understand what communion is really all about.

Hi Phil,

Thanks for getting back with your response. It's obvious that it is heartfelt.

I agree that there does seem to be a consensus that Jesus is present in a special way at Communion. And most seem to also agree on the strong sense of community that is evident.

It reminds me of something I heard long ago.....namely, that when Jews celebrate a feast, they don't so much "remember" an event of the past, as bring it into the now and re-create it on a spiritual level. (Maybe our Jewish brethren can help me here?)

So, maybe, when we celebrate the Lord's Supper, we really are sitting at the table with Him---in the Jewish sense.

Peace,

Fiosh

[Floatingaxe]

Hi again,

I know you guys don't believe in Real Presence. But I do respect your reverence for the Communion service.

This is not a trick question.....But, I hear different explanations of how Jesus is "present" in the service---- What is your church's understanding of how "Jesus is in residence"? What I mean is, is His presence in the Communion service somehow different than His presence in every worship service?

Thanks,

F

Sorry I've taken so much time to get back to you, but at times my internet connection acts up. So I then engage in other activities which causes me to delay in getting back on the net.

I have read the other posts in this thread and there seems to be a common denominator running throutgh all of them. However it might be expressed, that denominator is the very real "presence" of Jesus at the commemoration of the Supper He had with His Disciples and wants us to observe, as they did, this powerful time with Him at a special celebration of the last supper He celebratedwith His Disciples and, through the Apostle Paul has asked His body to do it in remembrance of Him. Most assuredly, He makes His presence known whenever He is remembered whether it be weekly, monthly, or periodically throughout the year as the posts in this thread testify to. So, to answer your question, yes, Jesus is very real in a very special way to us whenever we observe His supper. He is there in a way unlike He is at any other time in our church.

When we reflect upon what Jesus did for us, especially in the price He paid so that He could pay our sin debt, it draws us very close to Jesus in a way that is really hard to put into words. It is an experience that must be felt, not described, for only when you feel the presence of Jesus at His supper in rembrance of Him can you truly understand what communion is really all about.

Excellent!

[Scarletprayers]

Hi again,

I know you guys don't believe in Real Presence. But I do respect your reverence for the Communion service.

This is not a trick question.....But, I hear different explanations of how Jesus is "present" in the service---- What is your church's understanding of how "Jesus is in residence"? What I mean is, is His presence in the Communion service somehow different than His presence in every worship service?

Thanks,

F

Sorry I've taken so much time to get back to you, but at times my internet connection acts up. So I then engage in other activities which causes me to delay in getting back on the net.

I have read the other posts in this thread and there seems to be a common denominator running throutgh all of them. However it might be expressed, that denominator is the very real "presence" of Jesus at the commemoration of the Supper He had with His Disciples and wants us to observe, as they did, this powerful time with Him at a special celebration of the last supper He celebratedwith His Disciples and, through the Apostle Paul has asked His body to do it in remembrance of Him. Most assuredly, He makes His presence known whenever He is remembered whether it be weekly, monthly, or periodically throughout the year as the posts in this thread testify to. So, to answer your question, yes, Jesus is very real in a very special way to us whenever we observe His supper. He is there in a way unlike He is at any other time in our church.

When we reflect upon what Jesus did for us, especially in the price He paid so that He could pay our sin debt, it draws us very close to Jesus in a way that is really hard to put into words. It is an experience that must be felt, not described, for only when you feel the presence of Jesus at His supper in rembrance of Him can you truly understand what communion is really all about.

Hi Phil,

Thanks for getting back with your response. It's obvious that it is heartfelt.

I agree that there does seem to be a consensus that Jesus is present in a special way at Communion. And most seem to also agree on the strong sense of community that is evident.

It reminds me of something I heard long ago.....namely, that when Jews celebrate a feast, they don't so much "remember" an event of the past, as bring it into the now and re-create it on a spiritual level. (Maybe our Jewish brethren can help me here?)

So, maybe, when we celebrate the Lord's Supper, we really are sitting at the table with Him---in the Jewish sense.

Peace,

Fiosh

I like that!

[Fiosh]

Hi again,

I know you guys don't believe in Real Presence. But I do respect your reverence for the Communion service.

This is not a trick question.....But, I hear different explanations of how Jesus is "present" in the service---- What is your church's understanding of how "Jesus is in residence"? What I mean is, is His presence in the Communion service somehow different than His presence in every worship service?

Thanks,

F

Sorry I've taken so much time to get back to you, but at times my internet connection acts up. So I then engage in other activities which causes me to delay in getting back on the net.

I have read the other posts in this thread and there seems to be a common denominator running throutgh all of them. However it might be expressed, that denominator is the very real "presence" of Jesus at the commemoration of the Supper He had with His Disciples and wants us to observe, as they did, this powerful time with Him at a special celebration of the last supper He celebratedwith His Disciples and, through the Apostle Paul has asked His body to do it in remembrance of Him. Most assuredly, He makes His presence known whenever He is remembered whether it be weekly, monthly, or periodically throughout the year as the posts in this thread testify to. So, to answer your question, yes, Jesus is very real in a very special way to us whenever we observe His supper. He is there in a way unlike He is at any other time in our church.

When we reflect upon what Jesus did for us, especially in the price He paid so that He could pay our sin debt, it draws us very close to Jesus in a way that is really hard to put into words. It is an experience that must be felt, not described, for only when you feel the presence of Jesus at His supper in rembrance of Him can you truly understand what communion is really all about.

Excellent!

Yes, Phil did a great job of pulling it all together, didn't he?

[EricH]

Why do you think Jesus makes a very special point about the bread and wine and instructs us to do this in rememberance of him. Why this "tradition". He could have told us to do any number of things. Any thoughts on why the bread and wine?

K.D.

Jesus made a special point of telling us to do lots of things (like washing of feet, serving one another etc.). This particular thing is a vivid rememberance of the work He did on the cross. Since that was why he came into the world, this rememberance will have special significance