OCT. 3 - Communion

To go a little deeper, check out these in-depth statements on Communion:

THIS HOLY MYSTERY: A UNITED METHODIST UNDERSTANDING OF COMMUNION (adopted 2004)

BAPTISM, EUCHARIST AND MINISTRY (World Council of Churches, 1982 - this resource covers teaching on Communion from various Christian points of view)


For the October 3 message, we used a little True-False "test," and you may have been surprised by some of the answers:

The Bible teaches the value of taking Communion once a month.
FALSE - this is a frequent Methodist custom, but neither is it a requirement nor is it based in a Biblical teaching.

Communion is primarily a time to think about what Jesus has done for us.
FALSE - because we believe Communion is a Sacrament, we know the power of Communion goes far beyond simply what we (as humans) can think about. (Thinking about Christ's gift is, however, indeed a good thing to do!)

The bread and cup are only symbols of the body and blood of Jesus.
FALSE - again because Communion is a sacrament, we believe the bread and cup are more than symbols. Symbols simply remind us of something else that has meaning or power. We believe the power of Christ and the Spirit is indeed present in the taking of Communion.

There may be times when it is appropriate to refrain from taking Communion.
TRUE - 1 Corinthians 11 suggests we examine ourselves before taking Communion, and also warns us against receiving the bread and cup in an unworthy manner. This does not mean that WE have to be "worthy" to take Communion - none of us "deserve" our place at the table. Methodists also place a high value on open Communion, where all are welcome at the table of the Lord who would respond in faith (regardless of church background or membership).

The literal substance of the bread and grape juice is transformed during the Communion service.
FALSE - Like many Protestant churches, Methodists do teach that mystical transformation does take place in Communion, but that this is not done in a literal sense to the substance of bread and juice.


The richness of Communion is made clear in the document THIS HOLY MYSTERY - where we see six powerful Scriptural images that are present at the holy table:

Thanksgiving (Acts 2:42-47)

Fellowship (1 Corinthians 10:17)

Remembrance (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

Sacrifice (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5)

Holy Spirit (John 14:26)

Heavenly Banquet (Matthew 26:29)


Here are the words to the Charles Wesley hymn we looked at as a resource on Communion:

O the depth of love divine, the unfathomable grace!
Who shall say how bread and wine God into us conveys!
How the bread his flesh imparts, how the wine transmits his blood,
Fills his faithful people’s hearts with all the life of God!

Let the wisest mortals show how we the grace receive;
Feeble elements bestow a power not theirs to give.
Who explains the wondrous way, how through these the virtue came?
These the virtue did convey, yet still remain the same.

How can spirits heavenward rise, by earthly matter fed,
Drink here with divine supplies and eat immortal bread?
Ask the Father’s wisdom how: Christ who did the means ordain;
Angels round our altars bow to search it out, in vain.

Sure and real is the grace, the manner be unknown;
Only meet us in thy ways and perfect us in one.
Let us taste the heavenly powers, Lord, we ask for nothing more.
Thine to bless, ‘tis only ours to wonder and adore.