Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-09-01 / 9-10. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 9 a shared meal, which came much more naturally to Him then it would have to us. We live in a culture where when and with whom we eat, has lost most of its sacramental meaning. In the ancient world, and still in many parts of the non-western world, with whom you eat is very important. It establishes a relationship, which is far more than casual. Braking bread together is recognized as a sacred act of Koinonia. At the first Last Supper, there was an element of truth when Jesus took the bread and said: “this is my body,” and took the wine and said: “this is my blood”. In a very real way whenever we take the “Communion”, we share our bodies and our blood with all who take it. For instance, if I have some bread here and I eat all of it, it all becomes part of my body. The same is true of the wine; it becomes part of my blood. BUT if I share some of it with others, what would have become my body and blood, now becomes part of their bodies and blood. Body and blood become life, the most binding cement there is. “For greater love has no man than that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Perhaps the first question we should ask ourselves before taking Communion is: “Do I really want to be part of this fellowship, this Koinonia, with Christ and with others, who believe in Him, to the point where I am glad and thankful to share my very life with them? This is at least one of the things our Lord gave to his disciples: a Sacrament of a shared meal of fellowship, Koinonia and Communion and He made it infinitely more significant, because He literally gave His life. It was a cement to hold them together against the shock of His death, and the ridicule and antagonism of the world until He could return to them. They passed it on to the church, and the church has past it down through the ages to us as a sign, a seal, a symbol, and a Sacrament to all who take it seriously in faith, believing that we are members of that indestructible Koinonia, which can and will withstand all of the shocks and buffets of the World. It is in taking this Communion, that we come the nearest we ever can in this life, to actually being within the kingdom of God. For whatever else the Kingdom maybe, it must be a true Koinonia. In taking it we share in that one glorious fellowship with all who ever have been, are, or will be in it, until the end of time. At the Communion Table something unique can happen. At this table, and only at this table, we enter into one fellowship with our fellow Christians, men and women of other races and languages with whom we could not otherwise talk even if we met them. At this Table, and only at this Table, we can sit with our children’s children, yet unborn. - At this Table, and only at this Table, we sit with our fathers’ fathers, who have gone before us in the faith. And at this Table we sit with our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave us this Sacrament, and who is also with us here, now and always. Rightly it is called a Eucharist. For in this grace we must rejoice and give thanks. Amen. Rev. Paul Kovács October 7th is World Communion Sunday. It is celebrated throughout the Christian Communities. The good news of World Communion Sunday is that we are one in Christ. ONLINE RESOURCES http://fullbiblepulpit.blogspot.com/ - A developing repository of sermons by Dr. Edwin P. Elliott, Pastor, Reformed Presbyterian Church, Manassas, Virginia. http://ced.census.gov - This tool is primarily for economic development people. However it gives you a good snapshot of your county demographics. Just click on your state, let it load, and click on your county. https://www.peoplegroups.info/AdvancedSearch/Nationalitv. aspx?li= l - This is a tool from the Southern Baptists but they make it available to everyone. You can search states, cities, and zip codes for nationalities or just check your zip code to see what people groups are there (rough estimate based on census, etc.). http://biblestorytelling.blogspot.com/ - Notes on the application of Bible Story Telling for evangelism and Christian formation, posted by Rev. Chuck Huckaby, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. http://www.gettvdirect.com/hvmns.asp - Who is creating the next generation of hymns for the church? Has the unique formula of the hymn been abandoned on the back pew of the praise and worship movement? Irish composers and artists Keith and Kristyn Getty don’t believe so, and they’re on a mission to revive the art of hymnody for a new generation. “There are two reasons we write modem hymns,” explains Keith. “First, it’s to help teach the faith. What we sing affects how we think, how we feel and ultimately how we live, so it’s so important that we sing the whole scope of truth the Bible has given us. The second reason is to try and create a more timeless musical style that every generation can sing, a style that relates to the past and the future.” While conveying the message of the cross is at the heart of Keith and Kristyn’s ministry as modem-day hymn writers, they also place a high priority on being ambassadors for their music in the Church. The couple is in the midst of a two-year stay in the United States to introduce their songs in churches around the country, in hopes of leaving behind a repertoire of 21 st century hymns that will be embraced for years to come. 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