Today I returned home – where I belong – to my church family for the first time in 3 weeks. It was great to be able to praise, worship, and celebrate our God corporately with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today I led Communion. Here’s the full manuscript for today’s Communion:
You know we often think of worship to Christ as singing songs of praise to Him at the start of every service. But worship is so much more than singing songs.
Worship is also what happens before and after we sing songs together. Worship is driving – or riding – or walking to this place that we call home on Sunday mornings. Worship is fellowship with family before the music begins a few moments after 11. Worship is playing the guitar – for Christ. Worship is singing out loud – for Christ. Worship is raising our arms – for Christ. Worship is clapping our hands – for Christ. You see we worship Christ – our Savior – and no other.
Worship is our Pastor leading us in prayer. It’s our Pastor preaching God’s Word.
And we continue our worship to Christ, as we transition to Communion. We observe and celebrate Communion once a month here at Living Waters. Communion must never be routine. It must always be a special occasion. It must be solemn. It must be intimate. It must be intentional.
This is where we – as brothers and sisters of God’s church family – walking together on this journey – this is where we make a commitment to continue to praise, to worship, to honor, to love, to move closer to, and to strengthen our Communion with our living and loving God.
He’s the One that’s always there for us. He’s the One that rescued us from the dead. He’s the One that saved us from the world. He’s the One that saved us from ourselves. He’s the One that took our punishment for us. He’s the One that died for us. He’s the One that gave us life !
And so we observe, rejoice, and celebrate – this believer’s Communion – this agreement – of Creator, Christ, and Spirit as One. It’s open for everyone who hears me – everyone who believes that:
God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life – shedding His blood. (Romans 3:25a-b)
I invite this church family to accept these elements that have been prepared – this bread and this juice. You’ll come up, receive them, take them back to your seat – and remain standing (if you can). After everyone has received them – we’ll accept them together.
(Please come forth at this time.)
Let us take this bread, and know that it represents the sacred body of Christ that was given up for us on that cross. We take this bread in remembrance of Him.
Let us take this juice, and know that it represents the precious blood of Christ that was shed for us on that cross. We take this juice in honor of Him.
Our God Himself is righteous. He is fair and just. He declares us sinners to be right in His sight when we believe in Christ – and repent to Him. Repentance is worship.
Let us pray. Thank You God for being here with us – at this time – in this place. Thank You for always accepting us – despite our past – despite ourselves. Thank You Lord for Your awesome presence in our lives – and Your intentional purpose for our lives. May all of Your beautiful blessings and marvelous miracles constantly strengthen our faith in You, increase our love towards others, and unify our hearts and our souls. We honor You Lord. We praise You Lord. We worship You Lord. We celebrate You Lord – on this day – and on every day. And we confirm this by saying – AMEN.
All rights reserved (c) 2019 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries
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