The Lord’s Supper at Central Highlands Church
The following words appear in the welcome literature of the congregation that I am privileged to serve. On this World Communion Sunday, I find myself reading through these words and meditating upon their meaning.
The United Methodist tradition maintains that the bread and cup of the Lord’s Supper are not merely symbols, but conduits for the real presence of the Living Christ. We believe, therefore, that Christ-followers are to partake of the Lord’s Supper often and with joyful reverence.
No specific rule exists concerning the participation of children in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (meaning that there is no specific age that children must reach before they are granted access to the Lord’s table). This decision is left up to the parents. However, since infants are permitted to experience baptism in the United Methodist tradition, it makes good theological sense that children also be invited to come to the Lord’s table as soon as they are able to do so. After all, children bring a wide-eyed excitement to the Communion table that is both beautiful and appropriate.
At Central Highlands Church, the Lord’s Supper is celebrated weekly at the SATURDAY NIGHT service. It is celebrated monthly (on the first Sunday of each month) at our Sunday morning worship services.
As United Methodist Christians, we believe all are welcome at the Communion table who repent of their sin and place their trust in Christ, regardless of their denominational affiliation or church membership status. One need not be a member of any particular congregation in order to commune at Central Highlands Church. All that is required is an availability to the grace of Jesus Christ and a willingness to acknowledge our need for him.
This day, I pray that many if not all of you are able to taste a portion of the goodness of God in the bread and cup of the Lord’s Supper.
I’ll be with you at the table.
Before I came to Central Highlands I used to come to the lords table with no meaning.
I now go to the table with an open heart and it has much more meaning to me and it is a great feeling.
Being on the “mystic” side of thing, I love this Sunday! The whole thing is mystery to me but on World Communion Sunday, In my minds eye, I can see saints from the past and the future and all around the world sitting next to me. It’s an awesome experience. Kind of a Bilbo Baggins “I have the ring on and can see strange things” kind of experience. Only I don’t see evil…I see holy.
I love World Communion Sunday! At our church this past weekend, we sang the new praise chorus “He Reigns” by Peter Furler (of “Newsboys.”). I think the lyrics are so rich, please forgive me for including them all:
It’s the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered UNDER GROUND
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
˜Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word
When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
AMEN!