At The Table of the Lord

Based on 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

I want to continue to reflect on my visit to one of the sites where the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) came to be and on what I learned about our core values and beliets. This week, we will talk about Communion.

Barton Stone (one of the founders of the Christian Church) and Alexander Campbell (one of the founders of the Disciples of Christ) were both Presbyterian ministers from Scotland. Communion has always been a sacrament of the church, but were you aware that in the 1800's, you had to be granted permission/deemed worthy of communion before you could receive it? Neither Stone nor Campbell agreed with that, and when they founded their movements, one of the core values was an open table.

At the Lord's Table, all are welcome. We open our doors for the sake of mission and for the sake of the world, recognizing all as part of the one family of God. This is why we celebrate communion every Sunday, a practice that is open to all who follow Jesus Christ. The act of Holy Communion has become the central element of worship within the Disciples tradition, symbolized by the chalice in our logo. (Fun fact: the "sideways Cross" on the logo is a St. Andrew's Cross, a nod to the Presbyterian heritage of our founders.)

Disciples' observance of the Lord's Supper echoes the Passover feast when Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the living Christ is met and received in the sharing of the bread and the cup, representative of the body and blood of Jesus. The presence of the living Lord is affirmed, and he is proclaimed to be the dominant power in our lives.

Music this week:

• You Are My Rock

• When I Think About the Lord

• Open the Eyes of My Heart

• Show Me Your Ways

• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

• Grace Alone