Communion: Part 1 – Body and Bread

This Sunday, Steph Littlejohn brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
The talk will be available clicking here from 10am on Sunday 13^th February.
 
Once you have listened, here are some questions to consider:
 
Readings:

1 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 20 to 26
When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper. 21 For some of you hurry to eat your own meal without sharing with others. As a result, some go hungry while others get drunk. 22 What? Don’t you have your own homes for eating and drinking?
Or do you really want to disgrace God’s church and shame the poor? What am I supposed to say?
Do you want me to praise you?
Well, I certainly will not praise you for this!
23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself.
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread
24 and gave thanks to God for it.
Then he broke it in pieces and said, 
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 
25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, 
“This cup is the new covenant between Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 
26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.
God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.


John chapter 6 verse 35
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty



Prayer & Reflection
 
Creating and redeeming God, thank you that you chose to make us a part of your family and your story. We give thanks again for Jesus who revealed your love in his life, death and resurrection. Thank you that he continues to share his life with us through bread and wine. We are grateful for this ever-present reminder of the depths of your love for us and your forgiveness and grace. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit who sustains us in our walk together, helping us to watch over each other and to pray for one another. Empower us to serve boldly wherever and whenever you may call.
AMEN

THE LORDS PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
AMEN

 

Questions to Consider
1) Read the passages a couple of times. What jumps out at you or surprises you? Why is that?
2) What is your understanding of participating in communion? Is it a thing you value and look forward to or has it become just a habit that you do without thing or maybe something else?
3) Steph talked about how this is related to the celebration of the Passover and then Jesus celebrating this with his disciples at the last supper. Does that help your understanding of what Communion represents. If so in what ways?
4) What is it that you gain from being in a community of worship together with others?
5) Over the years as you have participated in communion what emotional responses has it triggered?
6) What have been the spiritual and practical transformations has it begun in you?
7) What will you take away from this talk and how will you allow that to make a difference in your life?