I Met Jesus This Morning

I was glad to go to church this morning because we celebrated the Lord’s Supper as the climax of the worship service. And instead of being tacked on or hurried through, the entire service led to us to the Lord’s table. We began by singing songs that reminded us of Christ’s death on the cross. The pastor preached a brief message from 1 Corinthians 11 on the importance of preparing our hearts before taking communion. Then we came to the Lord’s table as a congregation. Sitting in the balcony, I was able to watch the communion service unfold. Every church has its own way of handling communion, and that way generally never changes. Some churches are informal, some use wine, some pass a loaf of bread, some call people forward, others pass the elements among the congregation. This morning there were perhaps 35 men involved in serving the elements. When the moment came, the pastor said a few words, one of the deacons prayed, and a piano-flute duet played “Oh How He Loves You and Me” during the passing of the bread. I noted that the associate pastor had come to the balcony to stand behind the table so he could serve the men who were serving those in the balcony. When the bread was distributed, the men formed a line across the front of the sanctuary while two deacons took the trays and served each man at the same time. After the pastor stacked the trays, he served the two deacons, and then taking the bread, he quoted a Scripture, and we all ate together. The same procedure was followed for distributing and partaking of the cup. It was seamless and reverent and beautiful. Afterwards we sang a hymn, the pastor dismissed the Sunday School workers, and then we joined hands while singing a closing chorus.

He answered that prayer in my own heart, and that is why I am glad I was in church this morning.