The Communion of Apprenticeship
Hey, everyone... I wrote this for one of our Soul'd Out emerging services. It was the written instruction that accompanied a communion station set with bread and red grape juice. (Tony printed it out on parchment using a really cool font he has. I can't remember the font name. He knows.) Communicants approached the candlelit table and presumably read these instructions. Not sure if it is helpful for anyone else, but if it is, please feel free to use it.
Owen
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The Communion of Apprenticeship
“23Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. 24Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. 25What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?” Luke 9:23-25 (The Message)
Jesus calls us to abandon our own pursuits, our own directions, our own pleasures and follow Him. He is the Master. We are the apprentices. It is a call to self-abandonment that we might truly find ourselves. It is a call to live as He lived. It is a call to recognize our weakness and to live instead in His power. It is a strong and demanding call.
The Bread
Tear off a piece of the bread. Recognize that, as the bread to us is Jesus crucified and risen, so taking it into yourself is asking Him to recreate His life in you. He, the Master. You, the apprentice. If you are willing for that relationship, place the bread in your mouth. If not, replace the bread on the tray. Whatever your choice, spend some time reflecting in prayer.
The Cup
Pick up a cup of the wine. Being an apprentice is demanding. Being an apprentice of Jesus, without His power, is impossible. Blood is the very empowering force of life. Recognize that, as the wine to us is the blood of Jesus crucified and risen, so taking it into yourself is accepting His power for the journey of self-sacrifice. Recognize that, as Paul says, “He is faithful and He will accomplish it.” If you are willing to rely on His power rather than yours, drink the cup. If not, replace the cup in the tray. Whatever your choice, spend some time reflecting in prayer.
Owen
* * * * *
The Communion of Apprenticeship
“23Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. 24Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. 25What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?” Luke 9:23-25 (The Message)
Jesus calls us to abandon our own pursuits, our own directions, our own pleasures and follow Him. He is the Master. We are the apprentices. It is a call to self-abandonment that we might truly find ourselves. It is a call to live as He lived. It is a call to recognize our weakness and to live instead in His power. It is a strong and demanding call.
The Bread
Tear off a piece of the bread. Recognize that, as the bread to us is Jesus crucified and risen, so taking it into yourself is asking Him to recreate His life in you. He, the Master. You, the apprentice. If you are willing for that relationship, place the bread in your mouth. If not, replace the bread on the tray. Whatever your choice, spend some time reflecting in prayer.
The Cup
Pick up a cup of the wine. Being an apprentice is demanding. Being an apprentice of Jesus, without His power, is impossible. Blood is the very empowering force of life. Recognize that, as the wine to us is the blood of Jesus crucified and risen, so taking it into yourself is accepting His power for the journey of self-sacrifice. Recognize that, as Paul says, “He is faithful and He will accomplish it.” If you are willing to rely on His power rather than yours, drink the cup. If not, replace the cup in the tray. Whatever your choice, spend some time reflecting in prayer.
posted by Owen B. | 10:38 PM
2 Comments:
Owen
I thought that this was one of the more moving and powerful things we've done at Soul'd Out. I love the emphpasis on being a disciple to Jesus mentorship. and the font was AV Quest.
Tony
Hi Owen. I read on Mike Cope's blog that you had some CD's from Mclaren/Roxburgh at Fresno's ministry forum. Where did you get them? (I am an ACU M.Div student who goes to Highland and Roxburgh just came to ACU and yes they recorded him.) Please email me at cpm98f@acu.edu. Blessing, Casey McCollum
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