Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him (Psalm 34:8)
Holy Communion is a central witness of our worship service each Sunday. Not all congregations have weekly communion. We do at Bethel and I am so delighted that we do.
Our theology of communion is quite simple: we trust the words of Jesus in scripture when Jesus says "this is my body ... this is my blood." I put it this way in a paper I wrote one time: we have such an unabashed confidence in the Word that we understand that Jesus is truly present in our meal - mysteriously, mystically, and marvelously.
At Bethel we invite all the baptized to participate in the meal, including young children. Why? Because we believe that Jesus is the host, that He is truly present and Jesus said "let the children come to me." If we believe what we say we believe, then making the meal available is paramount to living and loving like Jesus.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is present in so many ways in our lives. Especially so in bread, in wine, in a community meal where we are forgiven, nourished, and sent to proclaim the gospel. Jesus as host invites you to come. There is a place for you!
Jesus of the meal, continue to meet us and fill us up with your Spirit and your grace. Amen.
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