Together, Apart: An Online Communion Experience
Our faith is bigger than our facilities. One thing we’ve gleaned during the COVID-19 crisis is people will find a way to connect. Physical distancing doesn’t mean social isolation. And that includes sacramental celebrations like communion.
For many congregations, the last Sunday of the month is a time for Communion. Don’t let isolation prohibit your celebration.
How To Share Communion Together, Apart
1. Pre-Broadcast
Let your congregation and community know before the service that you will be sharing communion.
Inform people pre-meeting through all of your communication channels – phone calls, email, social media.
“On (date) (name of church) will celebrate Communion online. Our faith is bigger than our facility. Communion is not a means of salvation, rather, it is a declaration of a believer’s faith in the saving work of Jesus' death on the cross. Join us online at (time of broadcast) to remember his GREAT sacrifice.”
2. Broadcast Preparation
When your online broadcast begins welcome viewers and inform them that communion will be shared together, apart during the broadcast. Invite them to go now to get some bread, crackers or matzah and a small amount of juice in disposable cups for each person in the room.
Let them know that later in the broadcast a leader will explain the meaning, significance and how to share communion.
3. “Serving” Communion
What a golden opportunity for a simple explanation to interested, non-religious viewers about what Jesus did for them. Every celebration of communion is a redemptive opportunity.
A. Explain and Invite
The juice and bread are symbols. They simply remind us of what Jesus did. Usually, grape juice is used in communion but if you only have apple juice at home, that’s OK. In some countries, Coca-Cola is used for communion. Pepsi would suffice.
The focus of communion is Jesus, not the symbols. Jesus said,
“Do this in remembrance of ME.”
Luke 22:19
I love the Message version of 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
Read verse 23,
“Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper (communion) and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you.”
1 Corinthians 11: 23
Communion is centrally important because it focuses on what Jesus did for you.
Read verse 25,
“What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you re-enact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns.”
1 Corinthians 11: 25
Remembering is a declaration. In partaking of the elements you declare: “Jesus gave his body and blood – his life - for me. He died for me.”
Ask: “Do you believe that Jesus died for you and was raised from the dead for your salvation?” Declaration is a vital part of faith. Declare with me, “I believe Jesus died and rose from the dead.”
Pause for a few seconds. Let that declaration sink in.
B. Share
Read
“The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said,
‘This is my body, broken for you.
Do this to remember me.’”
Ask viewers to eat.
Read,
“After supper, he did the same thing with the cup:
This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you.
Each time you drink this cup, remember me.”
Ask viewers to drink.
Encourage - Communion is not merely an act that looks to the past. It is a statement of hope that points to the future.
If ever people need hope, it is now. Jesus is good at hope.
Let’s believe big.
Please leave a comment below and let us know how communion online goes for you.
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.