By Betty Hertz
This is the title of the UMC’s interpretative document on Holy Communion. Recently God gave me the opportunity to look at this book and reflect on The Lord’s Supper. As usual, God opened my eyes and heart, and I experienced a deeper understanding of the sacrament.
In the Methodist Church of my youth, we celebrated communion quarterly. I often thought of the service as a remembrance of the Last Supper and Crucifixion. I know that I did experience a more profound sense of it at times but not often.
During this most recent study of the Eucharist, I have been asking myself, ”What does Holy Communion mean to me?” So, from the document, I dug deeper and found the words “God meets us at the Table, and Christ is the Host.” Wow! So, this Sunday, as I come forward to receive the elements, those words will be on my heart.
Many of our Holy Communion hymns express moving from remembrance to nourishment at the Table. Stanza 5 from “This Is a Day of New Beginnings” ( UMH p. 383) is an example:
In faith, we will gather round the Table
to taste and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.
“Come, Share the Lord” (The Faith We Sing, p. 2269, Stanza 3) is another hymn that strengthens my Holy Meal experience:
He Joins us here, he breaks the bread,
The Lord who pours the cup is risen from the dead;
The one we love the most is now our gracious host:
Come, take the bread;
Come, drink the wine;
Come, share the Lord.
This Sunday, may you experience God’s love as you proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Amen.
Betty Hertz is a longtime member of St John UMC, a Stephen Minister and a member of SPRC. When not doing volunteer work, she is playing with her three goofy dogs.