Tag: Holy Communion
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday September 7th, 2014
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Glorious Name of Jesus Christ! He loves us and has demonstrated that love by giving His life on the cross and shedding His life-blood that those who would look to Him would have cleansing and eternal life! We celebrate His resurrection and victory over death and Hell as we gather today! What amazing love God has poured out on us! We remember Christ’s death until He comes again to receive us into glory!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday July 6th, 2014
Dear Friends of Jesus,
What a wonderful week of celebration of freedom in our nation! We are truly blessed to live in the United States of America! God’s blessings here are not to be taken lightly!
We who belong to Jesus Christ gather each week on the first day of the week to worship, pray, and thank God for His blessings! We come to listen to His Word and open our hearts to humbly allow Him to transform our thinking to mirror His thinking. We come to have fellowship with Jesus around His table in Holy Communion, remembering His sacrificial death until He comes again in glory for His redeemed people! We will start a message series called “Seek First the Kingdom” on stewardship. Don’t neglect God’s gathering of His people today! We need each other and Him more and more as we see the end approaching!
In His Love,
Pastor John and Mary
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday May 4th, 2014
Dear Friends,
As we finished the reading of the Chronicles, the history of the Old Testament Church should jog our own memories! The Israelites had the temple and God’s presence in their midst. They had priests and kings placed by God as leaders and prophets to call them to godly conduct and a relationship by faith. But this people rejected the call of the prophets and the people and leaders got involved in the world and neglected God! They reached a point of “no remedy” but loss of their land and temple and then captivity!
We certainly have something better! We have a New Covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ! We are now living stones in the New Temple and the glorious Presence of God in the Holy Spirit lives in us! Let’s gather today as His Temple and Bride to pray, worship, partake of Holy Communion, and hear His Word! Jesus is coming and He is our remedy! We must be about His business!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday April 7th, 2014
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ! Today Christians from around the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and encourage each other to prepare for His soon return for His Bride, the Church! He died according to God’s plan, showing the world His Father’s great love in offering His body and blood as covering for sin. He was buried in a tomb, but rose on the third day! Death was defeated and life and immortality were brought to light as hope for anyone who would believe in Him! We will anticipate His coming again as King of Kings!
If you need a church home or call Good Shepherd your home, please join us in this wonderful celebration as we gather to remember our Lord, worship, and pray! Jesus Christ is the center of our church!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday February 2nd, 2014
Dear Friends of Jesus,
Greetings in the Blessed Name of Jesus Christ, the final sacrifice for sins!
Today we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and we will prepare our hearts to remember the death of our Lord and His soon return. Through His death, we have forgiveness of sins and redemption from the curse of the Law. Through His stripes we have healing for our bodies. He bore the crown of thorns to relieve us from mental distress and anguish. His hands were pierced to sanctify our work and bless it for His purposes. His feet were pierced to sanctify our walk through this world. His heart was pierced to cleanse our hearts and give us the gift of eternal life!
We thank God that we no longer have to offer animal sacrifices or go to a temple somewhere to meet with a priest. We have something better! Jesus is always there for us and His sacrifice is always enough! He is praying for us and wants to meet with us today as we gather to worship! Make worship with a family of God a priority today!
In His Love,
Pastor John
Recognizing the Body of Christ
Scripture reading for August 18th: 1st Corinthians 11:17-34
Paul dealt with the problem of divisions in the church concerning the ‘Lord’s Supper’, what we would call ‘Holy Communion’. In that day, this sacrament was usually a part of a meal called a ‘love feast’. The church came together to eat a meal and celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
Paul addressed their bad manners and lack of love for each other displayed during this meal. Some were coming early and eating all the food. Others were taking too much wine and getting drunk. (1st Corinthians 11:20-22) Paul warned them that they were despising God’s church and humiliating those who had nothing to eat. This caused strife and division during a meal that was to bring unity!
Paul explained the Lord’s Supper as he had received it. “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (!st Corinthians 11:23-26) This sacrament was to help believers center their lives on the One who had given His life for them. The bread represented Christ’s broken body, offered as a sinless sacrifice. The cup represented the shed blood that sealed a new covenant of grace through faith with each person who would trust in Jesus. The cup also spoke of the second coming of Christ. When He returned, believers would receive a new body and partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven with Christ. (Revelation 19:7-9)
Paul encouraged each person to examine themselves before they partook of this precious meal. They should each judge themselves and repent of any sins or division. He even warned them that if they partook of the meal in an unworthy manner, the possibility of God’s judgment was there. Judas died from failure to partake in the right spirit! (1st Corinthians 11:29-31) God’s desire was for all to be blessed! Take a minute to examine your heart today! Repent of any known sin and honor Christ’s gift of grace!