Communion (also known the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, Eucharist, Divine Liturgy, the Breaking of the Bread) is one of the two primary sacraments of the Christian Church through the ages (the other is Baptism). Sacraments are visible signs of God’s invisible grace in which we participate with all of our senses as embodied persons.
Matthew 26:26-28 (NRSV) – “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.’“
In Communion, we remember and give thanks for God’s lavish gifts of creation, preservation, and redemption, and especially for Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for our salvation. In Communion, we commune with the risen Christ – our faith meeting the breaking of his body (the bread) and the pouring out of his blood, his life (in the cup). In Communion, we enjoy a foretaste of the great messianic banquet when Christ will come again and when God’s restoration of all things will be completed – the fullness of God’s reign of justice, freedom, and peace.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NRSV) – “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.“
Communion shows what human life by God’s grace is meant to be – a life together in mutual sharing and love. To eat and drink at the table of Communion is to be united with Christ by the Holy Spirit. To participate in Communion is to be filled up in readiness to go and pour out the self-giving, other-affirming, community-forming love of the triune God to all, both neighbors and nations. At Liberty Vineyard Church, all are welcome at the table of Communion. Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again!
At Liberty Vineyard, we celebrate Communion each week, with a brief reflection offered by one of our Communion Meditation team members: Pastor Karen (404) 388-0518, Dawn, Jim, Patricia, Beth, Bart, David, Kyle, Mariana, Michael, Tamera, with the elements lovingly prepared by one of our Communion Preparation team members: Jim, Patricia
