Holy Communion

What about Holy Communion?

As early as the Emmaus experience on the day of Resurrection, (Luke 24:13-35) Christians recognized the presence of Jesus Christ in the breaking of bread. The traditional Jewish practice of taking bread, blessing and thanking God, and breaking and sharing the bread took on new meaning for them. When followers of Christ gathered in Jesus' name, the breaking of bread and sharing of the cup was a means of remembering his life, death, and resurrection and of encountering the living Christ. They experienced afresh the presence of their risen Lord and received sustenance for their lives as disciples.

As the church organized itself, this custom of Eucharist became the characteristic ritual of the community and the central act of its worship. Holy Communion and Baptism are the two "sacraments" recognized by the UM church. A "sacrament" is defined as, "An outward and visible sign, of an inward and spiritual grace."

Today Holy Communion must be viewed within the larger context of United Methodist theology. In accord with biblical and Christian teaching, we believe that we are sinners, constantly in need of divine grace. We believe that God is gracious and loving, always making available the grace we need. Grace is God's love toward us, God's free and undeserved gift.

Means of Grace?

Several words describe how grace works in our lives. Prevenient grace is that which "comes before" anything we can do to help ourselves. Although we are all bound by our sinful nature, grace gives us enough freedom of will to be able to respond to God. In truth, all grace is prevenient-we cannot move toward God unless God has first moved toward us. God seeks us out, pursues us, calls us to come into the loving relationship that we were created to enjoy. Convicting grace makes us conscious of our sinfulness and urges us to repentance. Justifying grace forgives and puts us into right relationship with God. Sanctifying grace enables us to grow in holiness of life. Perfecting grace molds us into the image of Christ. The grace of God is made available to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and works in our lives through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

While divine grace reaches us any time and in any way that God chooses, God has designated certain means or channels through which grace is most surely and immediately available. John Wesley expressed it this way: "By 'means of grace' I understand outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men [and women], preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace."

These means are not to be understood as ways of earning salvation, for that is an unmerited gift. They are, rather, ways to receive, live in, and grow in divine grace. The Wesleyan tradition has continued to emphasize the practice of these means of grace throughout our salvation process.

Three elements that should be present in our minds and hearts each time we come to the Lord's table are:

• Memorial - We are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. It is fitting that, as we receive the bread and cup, we do so with profound personal devotion and thankfulness, remembering that Christ died for each of us.

• Communion - We remember that we are parts of a whole - the worldwide community of faith. In Holy Communion our expression of praise for the salvation we have received is joined by all the faithful in the world who recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior.

• Proclamation - Holy Communion is a declaration of faith by those who participate in it. As we come to the Lord's table we declare to whom we belong. And as we leave our place of worship, we should announce, to all who will hear, what God has done for us.

For the official United Methodist statement on Communion - go to: http://www.gbod.org/worship/thisholymystery/default.html