ABOUT COMMUNION THIS SABBATH
JESUS SAID                                                                                     March 27, 2018
I Desire to Eat With You 

"When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him," and He said to them, "With desire, I have desired this...to eat with you this passover" (Luke 22:14, 15). 

Ponder for a moment what this scene could have looked or felt like....a table, whether long or wide, but certainly big enough for the 12 whom Jesus invited to eat with Him. 

Jesus is reclining, and most likely the disciples are, too. On one level, the atmosphere is relaxed and close...

Then in a soft voice...can you just hear His heart...His need..."With desire, I have desired this passover to eat with you...before I suffer."

Do you wonder if any of the 12 really heard His voice, His words, His message?

The longing. The love. The anticipated agony.

Do these words have any meaning to us now?

The message is still the same from Jesus...

Jesus longs to connect with us, like a family at the dinner table.

He wants to hear what we have to say. 

He wants to listen to us talk to Him about our day. 

He wants to help us handle our struggles. 

He deeply cares about us, and He knows that if we spend time together we'll begin to feel and trust His love for us in very real ways. 

This desire to be with us is for Him as much as it is for us, because His heart aches when we wonder away.

Today, put yourself in this story. 

Come to the table where Jesus is reclining. 

Hear His words of desire to be with you...to eat with you!

Just come to the table and be filled.

ABOUT COMMUNION THIS SABBATH
On Sabbath, March 31, the English Ministry group will share communion together. All the services will be at the normal time, which means that the worship service will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Communion is a wonderful opportunity to remember and teach our children about the sacrifice of Jesus for us, and how our sins are forgiven.
 
As we eat the bread we remember "the bread of life" through which we are nourished and satisfied spiritually (John 6:35).
 
The grape juice reminds us of the blood Jesus shed for us so we can have life.
 
As Seventh-day Adventists, we practice open communion, which means anyone who wants to participate in communion service is welcomed to do so as long as the individual understands the meaning of this sacred and blessed service started by Jesus and for us to keep in remembrance of Him. (1Cor. 11:27-29)
 
Jesus died as the Passover Lamb so we can live. The night when the Israelites were waiting for exodus the parents explained to their children what the lamb and the blood on the doorposts symbolized.
 
Likewise, it is important that we know, and that our children know the meaning of communion so we can experience the joy of participating in it.
 
This Sabbath we will be celebrating the foot washing service and communion, and we are suggesting that children stay with their parents (as such, there will be no children's time during the foot-washing).  There will be a location for families during the foot-washing service.
 
With that in mind, we suggest the following:
  1. Explain the meaning of the foot washing ceremony to your children as you wash their feet. Pray with them and teach them the lesson of humility of Jesus. Confess your sins to each other as we restore our relationship with Jesus and our loved ones. 
  2. During the communion service, have your children sit with you. The deacons will serve you. If your children will be participating, please let the deacon know. If your children do not yet fully understand the meaning of communion (usually this is signified by baptism), you may have your children sit next to you and absorb the experience, and observe you to learn how to partake the bread and the grape juice when it is time for them to participate. 
  3. Celebrate with them the joy of salvation and the promise of Jesus' soon return.
For those who want to study and read more, here is an excellent article on the Lord's Supper and children's participation by Dr. Darius Jankiewicz at Andrews Theological Seminary. Thank you Elder Brenda for finding and sharing this article!
 
 
Sincerely,
Pastor Joshua Bae

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