We had communion at church today.
It wasn't the typical kind of communion. Sometimes Jeff does different things with communion so that it doesn't become "stale". Today we got to to up to receive the elements. We received our piece of bread from one elder and he said, "The body of Christ broken for you, Patti." and then we got to dip the bread in a chalice of wine from another elder who said, "The blood of Christ shed for you, Patti."
In general doing things differently tends to bother me a whole lot. I'm not very good about change overall, however, I do like receiving communion this way. Somehow its very personal. I think when you are looking at someone and they remind you verbally and symbolically about the Atonement, it seems more real. Believe me, I don't like putting it out there...I don't like getting up out of my seat and going forward. I feel like everyone is looking at me (because I am looking at everyone when they go up.) However, there is something to be said about claiming Christ in this manner. Again, it makes it more real.
I also love seeing the others in our church receive the sacrament. it reminds me that I am a part of something bigger...that other people believe what I do and serve the God I serve. The people who move me most, not surprisingly,are my current or former students. Your know for all the crap that they give to you during the week...for all the struggle that they have in their lives, there is so much honestly when they receive it. Its like they too get to stand up and say what they believe in deep in their hearts. I especially love those kids who are a mess and have given me fits in the classroom. WhatI love is that they cannot deny Christ.
It wasn't the typical kind of communion. Sometimes Jeff does different things with communion so that it doesn't become "stale". Today we got to to up to receive the elements. We received our piece of bread from one elder and he said, "The body of Christ broken for you, Patti." and then we got to dip the bread in a chalice of wine from another elder who said, "The blood of Christ shed for you, Patti."
In general doing things differently tends to bother me a whole lot. I'm not very good about change overall, however, I do like receiving communion this way. Somehow its very personal. I think when you are looking at someone and they remind you verbally and symbolically about the Atonement, it seems more real. Believe me, I don't like putting it out there...I don't like getting up out of my seat and going forward. I feel like everyone is looking at me (because I am looking at everyone when they go up.) However, there is something to be said about claiming Christ in this manner. Again, it makes it more real.
I also love seeing the others in our church receive the sacrament. it reminds me that I am a part of something bigger...that other people believe what I do and serve the God I serve. The people who move me most, not surprisingly,are my current or former students. Your know for all the crap that they give to you during the week...for all the struggle that they have in their lives, there is so much honestly when they receive it. Its like they too get to stand up and say what they believe in deep in their hearts. I especially love those kids who are a mess and have given me fits in the classroom. WhatI love is that they cannot deny Christ.
I love communion. I never feel worthy of what is actually occurring. I often think I shouldn't partake. But then I think that if I wait until everything is right between me and God and between me and the world then I would never take it. And isn't that what its all about...taking the "unright"and making it "right"?
2 comments:
Ha so true, you feel like everyone is looking at you because you watch everyone as they go up. I do the same thing. I'm a people watcher, not because I'm a snob, but because I find people and their mannerisms extremely interesting. You know what really moved me was seeing Alexa sit with her Dad in church. That totally made my day. See ya tomorrow :) x0x0
that is how we take communion every week....it is the focal point of our worship service. it all leads to the feast at the table....i love that i have to engage w/ jesus every sunday even if i have totally missed the sermon.
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