I had the privagledge of service leading on Sunday in our mornnig service.  So i was nervous – i felt like peeing all morning long – but knew how to break my tension… joked about the choice of shoes been a critical factor for preparatioin for the morning – my cute pointy front detailed 1 inch heels vs my chunkier, practical 3 inch heel boots… the boots won – i told the congregation i wasnt sure if i could see over the podium without them… anyway part of doing service leading, apart from teh welcome and notices is doing the offering and communion wchih i love doing. i love offerings and i love communion! both are worship times and chances to say more I LOVE YOU JESUS and THANKS! this is the communion message i did – written post the message – ie written up more fuller for this post from the morning. I tend to get up and have a few bridge notes and trsut God that what i say is right. yesterday i felt a call to set things right with God during communion and to then commit afresh to the purposes of God…

There is a response to be made to the cross.

1. Surrender. “give your life to Jesus” Forgiveness. Freedom. Born Again. A fresh start.

2. To live our new lives surrendered each day to Jesus – to Know Him and make Him known….

We express our christianity through things like coming to church on a Sunday, through worship, the offering, communion – they are all expressions of the inward faith – but what is more important is that we live our lives our in the real world, amoungst those who need to know Jesus – that need to know WHAT you know and WHO you know.

Communion is a chance to come and remember. Jesus said “do this in memory of me” – remember what I have done and will do on the cross and keep that as utmost importance in your life. It is a chance to behold the King of Glory, nailed on the cross, sacrificed for our sins. Behold Him. See Him – arms wide open, on the cross. See there is no rejection in his eyes for you. No matter what you have done, or will do – Jesus calls you to come and know Him and His mercy and love. Jesus died so we can have relationship with God, in this life and eternally. He will not turn you away if you come. Communion is a good place to come and put yourself right with God afresh. We all have seasons when it seems God is far away – God is always near, it is us who have distanced ourselves. Communion is a opportunity to remember what Jesus did on the cross and why he did it. For you and for me.

The cross stirs a response in us – of love and gratitude. Communion is a chance to remember what Jesus did and to be motivated by that to in turn lay our lives down and to serve God. It is a chance to say “Here I am, send me.”

So this morning when you come, come and Behold your King of Glory on the Cross. Remember His sacrifice and follow Him. Communion this morning is an opportunity to come and RECOMMIT our hearts, and to COMMIT to the plans and purposes of God.

Music playing: Cindy Ruakere “Receive” “That they Lamb, may receive, the reward of his offering, that the Lamb may receive His reward in me….”