Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you at baptism:
to live among God's faithful people (Monday)
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper
After the call to live among God's faithful people, we receive directives about what that looks like in our lives of discipleship. The first directive calls us see the beautiful relationship between God's word and the Lord's supper.
Several years ago, I read a study that said that nothing effects the development of faith more than reading the bible. Period. Not worship, or serving, or fellowship, or small groups. Nothing is more powerful than reading the Bible regularly, for both learning and devotional purposes.
We gather around the word of God in worship. We read scripture. Our liturgy is born from scripture. Our preaching is based in scripture. And it is because of scripture that we invite each other - friend and foe alike - to share in and gather together around the Lord's supper.
Indeed, as Jesus invites you to a place at the table each week, we come knowing that in these moments we are met by the "real presence" of Jesus who said, in His word, "this is my body, this is my blood." We have such an unabashed confidence in this Word that we come to receive the Living God!
I like to remind people that this is our Lutheran "altar call". All are invited to come forward to hear the promise of the word of God, given in the bread and wine. To receive it, respond to it, and be renewed by it.
Word and sacrament. This is at the heart of our worship and at vital to our continuing growth as disciples of Jesus.
Loving Jesus, open our ears to your Word and open our souls to your nourishment of grace. Amen.
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