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Most of the message from Sunday can be found in part in The Book of Resolutions 2004 in the document titled, “This Holy Mystery,” which details the United Methodist understanding of how Christ is present around the Table. You can also find “This Holy Mystery” on the official United Methodist Church website: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4951419&ct=11623561
Sorry there’s no manuscript this week, but here’s what we talked about when we gathered around the table:
Holy Communion is:
Thanksgiving—We gather to give thanks to God. “Redemption is where suffering and beauty meet.”
Fellowship— Communion is not something you can do alone. All are welcome to the table, regardless of where you sat in the lunch room. Christ invites to the table all who love him . . .
Remembrance—We gather to remember, but it’s not just an action of the head. Identity is our memory, and salvation is God’s memory of us. The theif on the cross was right—“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42)
Sacrifice—We gather to make a sacrifice as we remember, honor, and experience Christ’s. “By the power of the Holy Spirit, in the act of receiving, we experience the real presence of Christ.” It is not a memorial nor is it just a symbol!
Epiclesis— (Water cooler word) The Holy Spirit empowers us to receive.
Eschatology— (Another water cooler word). This is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet and by the power of the spirit, we dine with the saints.