Communion: SD First Church of the Nazarene Both Services: November 2, 2014
Scripture Readings
The first three Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke--brings us as near as one can get to the historical event of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples before his death. Since Ron Benefiel has based his message on a reading from Matthew’s Gospel, we will read Matthew’s account of the Last Supper:
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve. . . . While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. . . . When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (26:17-20, 26-28, 30).
Jesus was alive was alive in the fellowship of the early Church continuing to guide and teach his disciples, interpreting for their lives the meaning of his death, resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of the Father. The Gospel of John reports that Jesus said
when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for . . . he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you (16:13-15).
A brief word from each of three witnesses from the life of the New Testament Church speaks to the meaning of what we are about today as we partake of the earthly signs of what and who the crucified and risen Christ is for us. We hear first from Paul, then from the writer to the Hebrews, and finally from John:
Paul: So if anyone is in Christ, . . . everything has become new! . . . in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor. 5:17, 19, 21).
Hebrews: And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (10:10). . John: I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 2:1-2; 1:9).
Prayer
We do not presume to come to this your Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your Table. But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.
Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your der Son ZJesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen (BCP).
Liturgical Invitation
Our Lord has provided us with a great privilege of grace in this sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord himself invites you and me to draw near and partake of the bread and of the wine that signify his body broken for us and his blood poured out for our forgiveness in order that we may rise to newness of life. As we share in the bread and the cup together, we remind ourselves that we are all ONE before the Table of the Lord.
The body of our Lord Jesus, which was broken for you. Take and eat, in remembrance that Christ died for you. This cup is the new covenant in Christ’s blood. Drink from it in remembrance of him.
The apostle Paul said, “For as often as you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Communion: SD First Church of the Nazarene Classic Service: November 2, 2014
Ron invites me to the pulpit after preaching and transition thoughts.
Scripture Readings
The first three Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke--brings us as near as one can get to the historical event of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples before his death. Since Dr. Benefiel has based his message on a reading from Matthew’s Gospel, we will read Matthew’s account of the Last Supper:
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve. . . . While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. . . . When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (26:17-20, 26-28, 30).
Jesus was alive was alive in the fellowship of the early Church continuing to guide and teach his disciples, interpreting for their lives the meaning of his death, resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of the Father. The Gospel of John reports that Jesus said
when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for . . . he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you (16:13-15).
A brief word from each of three witnesses from the life of the New Testament Church speaks to the meaning of what we are about today as we partake of the earthly signs of what and who the crucified and risen Christ is for us. We hear first from Paul, then from the writer to the Hebrews, and finally from John:
Paul: So if anyone is in Christ, . . . everything has become new! . . . in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor. 5:17, 19, 21).
Hebrews: And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (10:10). . John: I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 2:1-2; 1:9).
Prayer We do not presume . . .
Grant us, therefore . . . so to eat
Liturgical Invitation
Our Lord has provided us with a great privilege of grace in this sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord himself invites you and me to draw near and partake of the bread and of the wine that signify his body broken for us and his blood poured out for our forgiveness in order that we may rise to newness of life. As we share in the bread and the cup together, we remind ourselves that we are all ONE before the Table of the Lord.
Ushers are to distribute the elements: All hold them until all are served that we may partake together.
Then we will partake together as words are said over each element
Lift the bread: The body of our Lord Jesus, which was broken for you. Take and eat, in remembrance that Christ died for you. Lift the cup: This cup is the new covenant in Christ’s blood. Drink from it in remembrance of him.
The apostle Paul said, “For as often as you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Ron comes up for benediction. Should I go down—takes time!
Communion: SD First Church of the Nazarene New Celebration Service: November 2, 2014
Scripture Readings
The first three Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke--brings us as near as one can get to the historical event of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples before his death. Since Dr. Benefiel has based his message on a reading from Matthew’s Gospel, we will read Matthew’s account of the Last Supper:
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He said, Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” So the disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve. . . . While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. . . . When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (26:17-20, 26-28, 30).
Jesus was alive was alive in the fellowship of the early Church continuing to guide and teach his disciples, interpreting for their lives the meaning of his death, resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of the Father. The Gospel of John reports that Jesus said
when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for . . . he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you (16:13-15).
A brief word from each of three witnesses from the life of the New Testament Church speaks to the meaning of what we are about today as we partake of the earthly signs of what and who the crucified and risen Christ is for us. We hear first from Paul, then from the writer to the Hebrews, and finally from John:
Paul: So if anyone is in Christ, . . . everything has become new! . . . in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor. 5:17, 19, 21).
Hebrews: And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (10:10). . John: I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 2:1-2; 1:9).
Prayer
We do not presume to come to this your Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your Table. But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.
Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your der Son ZJesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen (BCP).
Grant us, therefore
Liturgical Invitation
Our Lord has provided us with a great privilege of grace in this sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord himself invites you and me to draw near and partake of the bread and of the wine that signify his body broken for us and his blood poured out for our forgiveness in order that we may rise to newness of life. As we share in the bread and the cup together, we remind ourselves that we are all ONE before the Table of the Lord.
Instructions for Communion and Call to Take the Elements
Instruct the congregation to come forward clockwise as they are ready, that there will be a server roaming the room for those who would rather stay in their seat. All are to hold the elements until instructed to partake--after the servers are in place. Call the servers forward and pass them the plates – one bread and one juice plate each. (The servers will be prepped before the service on what to do.) Throughout communion, you will watch to see if any of the servers’ tray is running low. If so, refill their trays. (If you prefer that someone else do this job, that’s easy to arrange. Just let me know. Yes!) Two Songs sung during the distribution of the elements Once all have been served, serve the servers and then lead the congregation through taking the elements. Lift the bread: The body of our Lord Jesus, which was broken for you. Take and eat, in remembrance that Christ died for you. Lift the cup: This cup is the new covenant in Christ’s blood. Drink from it in remembrance of him.
The apostle Paul said, “For as often as you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).
Prayer of Thanksgiving
At the end of communion, please signal the ushers to come forward and mention the offering (how?). There will be one song after communion (during the offertory) and then Ron will come back up to offer the benediction and dismiss the congregation. Justin will signal Ron when to come back up. As Ron comes, I go sit down.