Communion

As a community forming event, the celebration of Communion, which is also known as the Eucharist1 or the Lord’s Supper, unites nearly every element of church life: worship, teaching, discipleship, service, identity, hope, purpose, relationship, humility and love around the central, continuing story of our crucified and risen Messiah. This Table has been prepared in the midst of our daily life. The One who made the earth, became as one formed of the earth to show us that he will never forget the struggle we face in the heart of the world.

Three actions that comprise the center of the weekly celebration of the Eucharist are outlined by the Apostle Paul:

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

~1 Corinthians 11:23-262

1 Greek for ‘thanksgiving.‘

2 Probably written in the 50s or 60s, this text is the earliest record of the early church’s
practice of the Lord’s Supper.

•Do – Since symbols participate in reality, the community physically participates in this honored meal.

•Proclaim – Together, as we share in the Lord’s Supper we proclaim:
The humble sacrifice and death of Jesus
The resurrection and return of Jesus (“until he comes”)
The New covenant
The community of God’s people. Not only does the celebration of
the Lord’s Supper reflect our communion with Christ, but also our
solidarity with each other.
•Remember – We remember that the Lord’s Supper was first celebrated during the celebration of the Passover Seder and was followed by the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We continue to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist each week following the practices of the earliest Christians outlined in the New Testament (Acts 2:46; 20:7) The Table of Christ is not built upon authority, but humility; not force, but faith; not self-centeredness, but self-sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper belongs to Christ and he is the One who invites all of his followers to participate. For this reason, communion at Chaparral is open to all who believe and have prepared themselves for this sacred moment. (1 Corinthians 11:27-32)