The first Sunday of the month is often observed as Communion Sunday in local churches. As we gather together for worship, it’s a way to remember the love and grace of God through Christ in our lives. But the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament that reminds us not of a worship service but of a meal — a sacred meal — that Jesus observed with his disciples and friends the week he died. By doing this regularly, we are teaching and reminding our hearts and minds to be in relationship with God on a daily basis.

Sacrament

Sacrament is a fancy word with multiple definitions, but some version of the following is included in most:

Noun: (in the Christian church) a religious ceremony or ritual regarded as imparting divine grace

The Church of England prayer book describes it as “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.”

Also, there are differing beliefs about what constitutes a sacrament. In The United Methodist Church, along with other mainline Protestant churches, the sacraments are those expressions of God’s grace in which Christ himself participated: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Some denominations, along with Catholicism, recognize other rituals as sacraments as well, such as confirmation, marriage and ordination.

Ritual

In the previous paragraph, we defined sacrament as a ceremony or ritual, but how those sacraments are practiced may be different in different congregations and faith traditions. Baptism can be a full dunk, a pouring of water or a sprinkling of water. In The United Methodist Church, the definitive factor is that God’s grace is enacted by this ritual, and it is only necessary once in someone’s life no matter her or his age at the time of baptism.

Communion can be taken from a communal cup, from individual cups or by intinction, meaning the bread is dipped in the cup before being eaten. Communion can be done repeatedly — and should be. Jesus said, “Every time you drink [eat] it, do this to remember me” (1 Corinthians 11:25b). Christ’s sacrifice for us was for every day of our lives.

Question of the day: What helps you remember your faith each day?
Focal Scriptures: Matthew 26:26-30; 3 John 1:9-11; Luke 14:12-24

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For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.