|
Pastor's Message - March / April 2009
Holy Communion – Reverence or Joy? When you come forward to take communion on a Sunday morning do you
expect an atmosphere of silent reverence as you anticipate that holy
moment of meeting Jesus, your saviour, in the bread and wine, the body
and blood of the Christ? Then when you have received the elements will
you say the “amen” quietly or maybe even silently. Or when you come
forward do you expect an atmosphere of joy and excitement as you
anticipate the “Me too! I’m going to meet Jesus!” kind of excitement of
a young child. Is there a holy excitement of being filled with God’s
joy in the gift of Jesus when you have received the bread and wine, the
body and blood of the Christ? Then when you have received the element
will you shout the “amen” as joy bursts out of you. So which is it? Is Holy Communion an act of reverent remembrance or one
of joyful participation? The answer is yes. On any given Sunday it
could be either one. On any given Sunday you might be anticipating one
emotional state but you could be surprised by actually feeling the
other. You might even have blend of both. That is how unique and
unpredictable this gift of Holy Communion can be. In either state
“Amen” is always the most appropriate response to receiving bread and
wine. "Amen" is a full and rich response meaning – So be it – Truly
this is so – I Believe – Yes. By saying this out loud whether in
reverence or in joy, you are expressing your part in an act that joins
each of us together. Your “amen” expresses thanks to the one truly
giving the gift not to the pastor or somebody from council. It is God
who gives you this gift of that real presence of Christ in, with and
under the bread and wine. Amen. Lutherans believe in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Communion
elements and we also believe in the priesthood of all believers. That
means that each of us responsible for the holy acts of ministry in our
congregation. Ministry is work for all of us. While ordained pastors
are given special duties, one of which is presiding at communion, the
distribution of bread and wine is completely open to all the priesthood
– that means you too. This is not a special duty of church council. In
fact church council recently agreed to open up this ministry to include
the participation rest of the congregation. The council and I are
asking for people to participate in this very special role – to serve
the wine at Holy Communion. If you are interested in being part of that
role and live out the priesthood of ALL believers, please have a
conversation with Pastor Steve or any member of church council. When
you serve bread or wine at communion you will be a witness to the
unique joys and reverence that Holy Communion can be.
Peace – Pastor Steve
|
|
|
