THE LORD’S SUPPER
May 29, 2005

     Next Sunday at 5:00 p.m., we will have a Lord's Supper service.  Through this Christ-instituted ordinance, we unite together in fellowship with Christ as we remember the atoning death of Jesus Christ, celebrate the gift of forgiveness and joyfully look forward to Christ’s return.

      For the each worshiper, participation is a sacred act of devotion and consecration of oneself to Jesus Christ.  In I Cor. 11:27-31, the apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers to examine themselves before eating the bread and drinking from the cup.  This passage contains sobering words that reveal how sacred this act of worship is.  Since partaking of the Lord’s Supper is a particularly sacred and reverent act of worship, each individual should take time to humbly and prayerfully prepare for the partaking of the elements, which represent the body and blood of our savior, Jesus Christ.

      Examine your motives for worship, your personal relationship to Christ and your relationships with others.  Ask the Lord to speak to your heart through His Spirit and His Word.  Let the Word of God be a mirror through which God can shine His light into your heart.  Ask the Lord to show you anything that needs to be changed in your heart and life, and then respond to the Lord’s prompting through prayer, repentance and any necessary acts of restoration.

      All followers of Christ are encouraged to come and share in our communion service.  We are always happy to have guests with us in our services.  We realize that not everyone will choose to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Supper.  You are welcome to watch, listen and simply pass the elements on to those beside you.  Children who have not yet committed their lives to Christ should be instructed to allow the elements to pass by.  This week would be an excellent occasion for parents to explain to their children, who have not yet committed their lives to following Christ, what the Lord’s Supper represents and how they can receive forgiveness from sin and place their trust in Jesus Christ.

Worshiping the Lord together,
Bro. Bruce