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Vol. 45, No.
48 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE
January 31, 2003
The Bulletin Board
The
Sick – Lisa Gustafson underwent a very difficult throat surgery in
Cleveland last week. The early reports are that she is doing well
prior to additional surgery this week. Remember her in your
prayers….Jean Jensen’s father is currently undergoing tests before
anticipated surgery in February.
Eighteen from here attended the Spirit-Fest Youth Rally in
Duluth last weekend and arrived home without mishaps.
Monroe
Hawley will be the speaker at the Sunday evening service.
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Two years ago
Last year Last
week Goal
Bible classes
143 140 161 170
Morning worship 215
225 *216 250
Evening worship
30 55 58 80
Contribution $2880.76
$3219.50 $3442.20
$4200.00
The Lord’s Supper (5)
Who Should Partake?
Those of different religious persuasions may be familiar with the
terms “close communion” and “open communion.” Close communion
denotes the idea that only those of a particular religious body are
permitted to take the Lord’s supper. The participant may be required
to secure a token in advance to qualify him to take communion.
Open communion, on the other hand, suggests that everyone is
invited to participate, or at least is permitted to share the
emblems. What does the Bible teach?
To respond we must first ask, ‘What is the purpose of the supper?”
The Greek word rendered “communion” or “participation” suggests that
something is being shared (1 Cor. 10:16). In this case what is shared
is the story of the cross which has meaning only to those who have
already accepted Christ. The supper is also a memorial of the death,
burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 11:24). But if one has not
yet accepted Jesus, it is meaningless to him. Perhaps more
significantly the emblems we share constitute a renewal of our
covenant with God. Jesus said as he gave the disciples the cup,
“This is my blood of the covenant” (Matt. 26:28). The
Christian made that covenant with God when he was buried with his Lord
in baptism and agreed to follow him the rest of the way. In taking
the supper he reaffirms what he promised his Lord at that time.
To sum the matter up, only for the Christian is the Lord’s supper a
memorial of the death of Jesus, only for the child of God is this
communion a symbol of the divine covenant we have with God, only for
him is it a proclamation of our faith that the son of God will return,
only for the disciple of Jesus is the bread a symbol of our unity in
the one body.
The Lord’s supper is intended only for those who have by their own
free will put Jesus on in baptism. The unbeliever needs to know
this. On the other hand, we ought not to try to police those who eat
the sacred meal. Ultimately the individual must make his own decision
as to whether to participate based on his self-knowledge of his
relationship with God. He can do so by heeding the words of Paul that
“whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy
manner shall be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the
Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats the bread and
drinks the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing
the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor.
11:27-29).
__Monroe Hawley
Calendar of Events
February 8 – Parent to Parent 2000 video/discussion, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
February 9 – Elders and deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.
February 9 – Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.
February 15 – W.C.Y.C. dinner and auction, Southside, 6:00 – 9:30 p.m.
February 18 – Christian Workers’ Meeting, 9:00 a.m.
February 21, 22 – Northtown Church women’s retreat, Kohler, WI
February 22 – Parent to Parent 2000 video/discussion, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
February 23 – Congregational meeting after second worship
February 28 – March 2 – Northtown Church Youth Rally
March
1 – Southside Area-wide Men’s Breakfast, 8:45 – 12:00 a.m.
March
28 – 30 – Southside Youth Rally
April
4 – 6 – York College high school days
April
12, 13 – W.C.Y.C. youth rally at Fallhall Glen
April
29 – May 2 – National Assoc. of Christian Camps workshop, Fallhall
Glen
May 9
– Mother-Daughter Banquet, 6:00 p.m.
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