Mike’s Meanderings

In February our Eldership held a workshop which was led by Rev Doug Dornhecker. Doug is an ordained Disciple pastor who served the church in Olympia for a number of years. He now serves as a liturgist and resident theologian for the Episcopal Diocese in Olympia. Doug is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon.

At our workshop we focused solely on the importance of the communion service in our weekly worship. Throughout the day we shared in four very different observances of the Lord’s Supper, and spent the day discussing how we might enhance, enrich, and deepen our experience of this feast of remembrance at Bellevue Christian Church.

After more discussion and prayerful consideration, we are going to try something a little different. Now don’t get too upset as you read this. We are not making any huge change in our service, we are simply adding a couple of elements to our communion service that will hopefully make this weekly observance richer, more prayerful, and deeper in meaning.

Beginning on Sunday, May 11, we will be saying the Lord’s Prayer in conjunction with the elder’s prayer for the bread and cup. Presently this prayer takes place following the Pastoral prayer (a.k.a. the prayers of the people). The use of the Lord’s Prayer as part of the service of communion is a Disciple tradition dating back to the time of our founding by Thomas & Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone. The connection between the words, “give us this day our daily bread” and the communion service is clear. Communion is also a time when we most clearly experience God’s ongoing forgiveness, also echoed in the Lord’s Prayer.

Another aspect of our breaking bread together will be a more intentional invitation. Added to the end of my brief meditation I will offer the following invitation to all gathered each Sunday: “This is the Lord’s Table and Christ invites all gathered here to share this meal of grace. Christ recognizes you and looks upon you with favor. Christ befriends you and wants you within his circle. Count yourself among Christ’s disciples by partaking in this feast of fellowship and thanksgiving as the bread and cup are passed.”

These changes are meant to enrich and broaden our experience of communion. As we try these changes we must be careful not to make idols of our rites and rituals, but to recognize them as vehicles for experiencing God. Our desire as elders, and as members of the worship team, is to create a more intentional, prayerful, and meaningful experience as we gather each Sunday around Christ’s table. “Let us break bread together.”

Peace,

Pastor Mike

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