Today we are reading from Mark 14: 22-25:

22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

I love communion.  As a pastor, serving communion is probably the thing that I enjoy doing the most and is among the highest honors that I have.  I am thankful, the first of every month, when are able to receive it as a church family. 

There are a lot of reasons why, I am thankful for the time in the service when we as a congregation pray a prayer of confession of sin, and we get to hear the words of forgiveness, that we are forgiven of sin.  

I am thankful for the beauty of the prayers that we pray, where we rehear the Gospel story. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to come to the altar and to pray, to have the chance to pour out our hearts to God. 

But I am thankful in this meal we are reminded just how much God loves us. We are reminded that this is His body, which was broken for us. And this is His blood of the New Covenant, poured out for us. We are reminded just how loved we are.  We are reminded just how much He has given for our sake. We are reminded of the power and the hope of salvation. 

We remember what Jesus has done for us and for our sake.  

We remember that we are loved.  If you ever think that you are unloved, come to St. Matthew’s, or if you are Methodist, your local church, on a communion Sunday. And hear the story of redemption. Receive the bread and the juice. And remember. Remember what He has done for your sake and for my sake. Remember that you are worthy, not through your own efforts, but through His. Remember. 

I love communion because it reminds me of His great love for me, and for you. For that, I am so, so thankful.  

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