THE LORD'S SUPPER

Why we 'take communion' or 'break bread' together

Everyone is welcome to join us at the breaking of bread service (also known as a 'communion' service)

This is a special time for people who love Jesus and have made a personal commitment (by faith) to love and trust Jesus himself as their Saviour. But if you have not made this commitment - or are not quite sure yet - we ask you simply to pass on the bread and the wine without tasting it yourself. There is nothing 'magical' in the actual bread or wine - they are simply symbols, but very important ones! If you're not sure where you stand, you are welcome to contact the church and request a chat to help clarify your thoughts.

The Bible gives these instructions about how Christians should break bread to remember him:

The attitude in which Christians approach the Lord's Table is certainly important (1 Cor 11 v 27-34).
A sense of order in gatherings of the Lord's people is essential (1 Cor14 v 40).

No specific format, type of service or time of day is specified, although many scholars feel that in New Testament times it was probably often celebrated fairly informally after a meal.

Why celebrate the
'Lord's Supper'?

Instructions given to the church at Corinth give a helpful insight:

Obedience

Obey

The Lord instructed believers to break bread together to remember Him.

To read:

"A STUDENT'S DILEMMA"
or 'Passover by Email'

by James Coates

"A Student's Dilemma" tells the story of a shocking discovery made by a Jewish university student in his days as a fresher. He explores the link between the way Christians break bread together and the passover meal of his own faith.

"A Student's Dilemma" is a fictional presentation.

Remembrance

The bread and wine are potent symbols to stimulate worship and thanksgiving (1 Cor 11 v 23-25).

Symbols

The bread remind us of the Lord's body given for us
The wine reminds us of His blood, shed for us.

Communion

Unity

Sharing in the bread and wine reminds us of our unity as believers in the Lord (1 Cor 10 v14-17).

Proclamation

In celebrating the Lord's supper we proclaim the centrality

Witness

and significance to us of the Lord's death as an act of witness (1 Cor 11v 26).

Confession

We are to

Prepare

examine ourselves before the Lord before we take the bread and wine, confessing any unresolved sin in our lives (1 Cor 11 v 27-29).

Expectation

We celebrate the Lord's supper until He

Until He comes . .

comes again, reminding us of our future hope in Him.
(1 Cor 11 v 26).

Copyright © Steep Turnpike Evangelical Church unless otherwise noted
Some content is available for your other church website - see STEC copyright guidelines

Send feedback to:

Spotted a broken link / out of date info? Please report to:

http://steepturnpikechurch.inmatlock.com, http://kids.inmatlock.com and www.inmatlock.com are non-profit making websites owned by Steep Turnpike Evangelical Church, Steep Turnpike, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3DP England UK

This Matlock Church is evangelical, providing activities for children & adults, families & singles, young people, senior and retired people. As one of the lively, Bible-based Christian churches in Matlock we provide fun kids' clubs, youth groups, adult groups and support, community activities, seasonal events, fellowship, worship, prayer & Bible teaching.

[Family Online Safety: labelled with ICRA]

THE LORD'S SUPPER Why we 'take communion' or 'break bread' together