Dear Friends,
On Sunday, Mary Ann and I attended services at Calvary-St. George’s Episcopal Church (https://us.list-manage.com/138Y54T34Yw?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) in Manhattan. We were spending the weekend with our daughter and son-in-law who live in Brooklyn, celebrating our grandson Cedric’s 11th birthday.
Communion is the central part of the Sunday worship service in Episcopal churches. As the words of institution were given, Mary Ann leaned over and asked “do they believe (as Roman Catholics do) that the bread and wine are the actual body and blood of Jesus?” And I explained to her what is my understanding of how the Anglican tradition views the sacrament of communion, she suggested I maybe share some of this in an upcoming newsletter.
So here goes.
First, there’s the question of whether communion is a sacrament or an ordinance.
Episcopalians (along with Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutherans, Methodists, and many Reformed/Presbyterian traditions) see the communion service as sacramental.
Here’s what that means. In a sacrament, Jesus is uniquely present with His people, providing grace. Of course, Jesus is always present with us, as He promised to be. But the sacramental view of communion is that as we take the wine and the bread, He is present in a special way, uniquely conferring grace.
Baptists, along with many Bible churches and other evangelical and non-denominational churches, see communion (and baptism) as an ordinance.
Here’s what that means. Baptism and communion have both been ordained by Jesus. He told us to do these things as a memorial – to remember Him, and to focus on the spiritual realities these ceremonies point us to. In this view, there is no special presence of Christ when the ordinances are observed, and no special conferring of grace in those moments.
One reason some are reticent to embrace the idea of communion as a sacrament is because of what the Roman Catholic Church has come to embrace about what is happening during communion. They believe when communion is served and received, grace is conferred ex opere operato – independent of the server or recipient's personal holiness. That’s what the Latin expression ex opere operato means – “by the work worked” or “or "from the work of the work itself." In this view, grace is conferred to person taking communion regardless of whether he or she is receiving it with a prepared heart.
Personally, I think there is a sacramental aspect to communion. I see it as a spiritual practice where grace is conferred – a means of grace. While I understand the concerns related to the Roman Catholic view of ex opere operato, I typically use both terms – sacrament and ordinance – when referring to communion.
You still with me?
My view is that communion is when we serve and receive communion at Redeemer, we are pausing to remember what Christ has done for us. And when we do, I believe Jesus meets us and uniquely extends grace to strengthen us in that moment. But I think the Roman Catholics are wrong about grace being conferred ex opere operato.
Regarding how Jesus is present during communion: This is the other area where different Christians see the ceremony differently.
Roman Catholics believe in what is called transubstantiation. This is the view that when the communion elements are received, they are transformed into the substance of the body and blood of Christ. This transformation of substance does not affect the appearances of the elements, which continue to appear to be bread and wine. The substance changes; the appearances do not.
Martin Luther (and most Lutherans today) believe in what is called consubstantiation (or sacramental union). Luther said that the substance of the bread and the wine do not change, but that the body and blood of Jesus are present “in, with and under” the elements.
The third view, often attributed first to John Calvin, is called the real presenceview. According to this view, when we take communion, Jesus is truly, but spiritually, present in a way that goes beyond His omnipresence or His daily relational presence with His followers.
The fourth view regarding the presence of Christ during communion is what is called the memorial view. We remember what Christ has done for us at the cross. And we receive the spiritual benefit that comes from surveying the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died.
In my view, while there is a rich spiritual benefit that comes from remembering and meditating on the work of Christ on the cross for us, I agree with John Calvin that something even more is happening as we gather around the table.
Roman Catholics wonder how it is that we don’t take Jesus at His word when it comes to communion. He said “this is my body” and “this is my blood.” How can we so easily spiritualize that?
The answer is easy. Jesus said “I am the door” but we don’t think He was being literal. He said “I am the vine.” “I am the bread that comes down from heaven.” I could go on, but you get the point.
There’s much more I could say, but I’ll finish with this.
The differences between Christians regarding communion are secondary differences. We can and should respectfully disagree with our friends who see things differently than we do when it comes to communion. On Sunday in New York, after hearing a clear gospel focused homily in the first part of the service, Mary Ann and I received communion even though we understand some of the dynamics of the sacrament differently.
As we come together to receive communion this Sunday, I trust you will take a minute to prepare your heart before you come to the table. J.C. Ryle exhorts “The man who goes to the Lord's Table, and eats the bread and drinks the wine, while his heart is far away — is committing a great sin, and robbing himself of a great blessing. In receiving the Lord's Table, as in every other means of grace, everything depends on the state of mind and heart, in which the ordinance is used. He who draws near without repentance, faith, and love — and with a heart full of sin and the world — will certainly be nothing better — but rather worse! Does this hit home to you? Be careful what you are doing!”
MEMBERSHIP CLASS IN TWO WEEKS
Would you like to know more about what’s involved in becoming a member of our church? On Friday night, May 22 and Saturday morning May 23, we’re hosting a Membership Class. It’s a chance for us to meet and explore together what it means to be a part of our church as a member.
Let us know if you’re interested in attending so we can know how much food to bring for dinner. Click here to register (https://us.list-manage.com/EChXBIgc_CR?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
Questions? Contact Pastor Matt at mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:mattgurney.rcc@gmail.com).
LOVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT MARRIAGE CLASSCould your marriage use a tune up?
I’m guessing just about everyone could say yes to that question. That’s why this summer, we’re planning a 10 week class for couples, taking place on Sunday mornings before church. We’ll be going through the book and video series Love Like You Mean It, looking at the Bible’s definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 and seeing how it applies to your marriage.
Classes start on May 31. And as of now, there’s no child care available. If that changes, we’ll let you know.
To learn more about the class or to sign up, click here (https://us.list-manage.com/lc9DpPuBp1A?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
BACKYARD BIBLE CLUB FOR KIDSOur annual Backyard Bible Club for kids happens the first week in June this summer. It’s a great week where kids are able to learn, grow and have a ton of fun. This summer, it will be Christmas in June as the kids hear about why Jesus is the greatest gift God has given us.
Make sure this is on the calendar. And click here (https://us.list-manage.com/8aIv1_24A6n?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) to find out more or to register your kids.
And here’s a special way you can bless the kids who will be attending the Backyard Bible Club this year. You can order some of the materials needed for the week. Just click here (https://us.list-manage.com/ycOpatRH1BP?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf)and select the items you’d like to purchase on their behalf.
BACKYARD BURGER BASHPlan to bring the whole family out back to the playground at church on Wednesday, June 3as we kick off summer with our annual Backyard Burger Bash, featuring Pastor Bob’s famous burgers. Food. Fellowship. Inflatables. And the best burgers in town!WOMEN'S 10:24 GROUPS THIS SUMMERLadies – make sure your summer plans include some informal time together with other women from our church. Learn more about what’s involved and how you can be part of our 10:24 Groups for women by clicking this link (https://us.list-manage.com/CYYsPhtBbVt?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).STREET REACH IN MEMPHISOur Roots Students are headed to Memphis again this summer for our Street Reach outreach to kids in the Brady Heights neighborhood. Students and parents can find out more about the trip and register to take part in this special week. Just click here (https://us.list-manage.com/brQoZAEUios?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).RCC SUMMER CALENDARCheck out what we have planned for this summer, all in one location. You can scan our online calendar (https://us.list-manage.com/j84zNZCMRn5?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf), which is up to date. Use the grid display or the list display. Or you can review, download or print the summer schedule here (https://us.list-manage.com/4lHqtCMyLaA?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
READY FOR SUNDAY
Here is the preview (https://us.list-manage.com/153URap5Gd_?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) of the songs we’ll be singing together this weekend.
We have a few special things happening on Sunday.
As you know, we have parents who will be dedicating their children to the Lord. We will be committing ourselves to supporting them as they raise their kids.
We’ll also get an update from one of the missionaries we support as a church. Joe Neff will be in town and will join us on Sunday.
And we’ll take time to see what lessons we can learn about equipping the next generation to follow Christ by looking at what Timothy’s mom and grandma did to help mold and shape this early church pastor.
See you in church!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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