Well, a very warm welcome to you all tonight to this pre-communion service.
Good to see you so many of you, and obviously quite a number of you by the look of it have
been enjoying, like myself, something of the good weather, which we're thankful to God
for.
Now, one or two things just to intimate before we begin the service.
At the close of the service, an invitation is given to anybody who wishes to come to
take communion for the first time, if they would make their way down to the hall, please.
The session will be meeting in the hall tonight rather than in the session room to my left
here in the church building.
So if you make your way to the hall, that would include any two who have a certificate to hand
in or have handed in a disjunction certificate from other congregations, because, as you
know, we like, as a session, to formally welcome those who have brought certificates from other
congregations, and that's just a formal welcome, there's no interview, but it's just to welcome
them and meet with them so that we know exactly who they are.
Now, that also includes the session tonight.
Anybody who wishes to come for baptism for their children, the session will be pleased to
meet with any who want to have baptism for their children, and we'll arrange that as well,
if you would kindly also, after the service, make your way down to the hall.
Now, we're following the same process as last time, same procedure as last communion, so
that means we're not giving out tokens, as was the case in the past, just to avoid, again,
too much contact.
So at the end of the service, I won't go to the door.
We'll just make our way through to the hall.
Those who want to go to the hall and the rest can just leave.
So that's really the only intimations I need to make, I think, this evening.
Let's sing to God's praise now from Psalm 105.
Psalm 105.
That's in the Sing Psalms version, and that's on page 138, 138, verses 1 to 11.
Give thanks to the Lord God and call on His name.
His wonderful deeds to the nations proclaim.
Sing praises to Him and His exploits record.
Let all those who seek Him rejoice in the Lord.
You chosen ones, look to the Lord and His might.
Seek ever His face and His wonders recite.
His miracles too and His judgments divine.
You children of Abraham, Jacob's own line.
Through to the end of verse 11.
These verses give thanks to the Lord God.
And we'll stand to sing.
Give thanks to the Lord God and call on His name.
His wonderful deeds to the nations proclaim.
Sing praises to Him and His thanks to the Lord.
Let all those who seek Him rejoice in the Lord.
The chosen ones, move to the Lord and His might.
Seek ever His peace and His wonders recite.
His miracles too and His judgments divine.
New children of Abraham, sing God's own line.
The Lord is our God and He rules all the earth.
Remembering His covenant, the word He set forth.
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His cleave for Christ, the law and HEaret
was made sure,
with Israel
his covenant
would always
endure.
To you
I will give
a secure
portion to stand,
the country
of Canaan,
a beautiful
land.
Let's now join together in prayer.
Let's call upon the Lord in prayer.
O Lord,
our gracious God, we thank you
for the many truths contained
in these words we have been singing.
The promises you gave
that have already been fulfilled.
The promises that you have given
that remain to be fulfilled
in the experience of your people.
But we thank you, O Lord,
that those that remain to be fulfilled
are as certain as those
that have already been completed.
For you are God and you are truth
and your word is truth.
And every word you have spoken
has proved to be reliable
and always will.
We thank you tonight, Lord,
that this is our privilege
when on such a beautiful evening
we could so easily be elsewhere
where our hearts desire that way.
But we thank you
that our heart is here
to worship you
and to meet together
to prepare for the remembrance
of the Lord's death
in the sacrament of the supper.
We give thanks for that desire, O Lord,
a desire that you have planted
in our hearts,
a desire that we have not created ourselves
and yet we recognize, Lord,
the reality of it.
We pray that as we follow that desire
and seek to live by faith
in following the ways of the Lord,
that we would tonight
know your presence with us,
that we would know your blessing
following your word
as we read it
and have it expounded,
as we hear it,
as we sing your praises
and call upon you in prayer.
O Lord, our God,
we ask that you would manifest
yourself to us.
Show us, we pray,
as you showed the disciples long ago
the reality of your suffering
and now of your resurrection too.
We thank you that we address you tonight
as we seek to remember you
in your death tomorrow,
that we address you
as the risen Lord,
as the exalted Lord,
as the King of kings
and Lord of lords
who sits on the throne of heaven
and in whose hand
is the scroll
of the destiny of the world,
the history of the world,
everything that will ever take place
to the end of the age.
We thank you, O Lord,
that you are the one
who is with your people.
We need no less than you
to be with us.
And we have no less
according to your promise
and according to the experience
of your people
down through the ages.
And Lord, we thank you
for the promise
of your presence
with your people
to the end of the world
so that whatever circumstances
may arise
in our personal experience,
in our circumstances,
and the consequences
of our own
or other's actions.
We do thank you, O Lord,
that your word remains true,
that your promise
is ensured to your people.
And we give thanks
that this is especially addressed
to our life
as your people in the world,
to our witness for you,
to our testimony
that you are God,
that we are your people.
We pray tonight
as we gather
in anticipation
and preparation
for the Lord's Supper,
that you would help us
as your word calls us to do,
to examine ourselves
in your presence
and to examine ourselves
in such a way
as would come desiringly
and knowingly
to partake of the elements
of the bread
and of the cup,
symbolizing and representing
and sealing to your people
the benefits of your death.
Lord God,
we ask that
these may be made
very real to us,
not only in our preparation,
but also by your will tomorrow
as we seek
to take them to ourselves
and to thereby find
that we once again
remember the Lord's death
until he come.
We thank you for all
who have come
to your table previously,
for those who have been there
over many years.
We thank you, Lord,
for their continued testimony
and walk with you.
We ask that you would continue
to keep them
and bless them
and help us, Lord,
as a congregation
to value the counsel
of those who have gone
ahead of us
in the way of faith.
And we pray
that as we gather together
tonight,
we may recognize
the value there is
in being together
and in learning
from one another
and looking out
for each other
on the way through life.
We pray for those
who wish to come
for the first time.
Lord, we ask that
they too will be encouraged
and strengthened
and that as they take
the step
as they desire to do,
Lord, help us,
we pray,
to be of benefit to them
and to be that fellowship
of a family
that would indeed welcome
those who want
to progress their lives
spiritually
and grow in grace
and in the knowledge
of the Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
Christ.
We give thanks too
for those
who are joining us
from other congregations.
We thank you, Lord,
for their interest,
for their participation
in the work
of the congregation
thus far.
We ask that you
bless them
in their own hearts
and in their families
and pray that even
at this time
they may have
confirmed to them
your own will
and your own purpose
for them.
We pray for those
who are coming
for baptism.
We ask that
your blessing, Lord,
will be with them
and with all
who have recently
baptized their children
in this congregation.
Gracious Lord,
make us thankful
that we have
young families
who wish to follow
in the ways of the Lord,
who wish to bring up
their children
in the knowledge
of the Lord,
in the nurture
of the Lord,
in the discipline
of the Lord.
And we pray
that they may,
Lord,
come and
do dependence
upon your grace,
that they may come
themselves to grow
and to flourish
and to have
their children
established in your ways
and rooted
and grounded
in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And we pray
that your blessing
will be with all tonight
who cannot be with us.
Lord,
we think especially
of those who are ill.
We know that there are
various illnesses
keeping people
we know and love
from being with us tonight.
We pray especially
for those
who are seriously ill.
We pray for those
who have COVID.
We pray for those
who are recovering
from illness,
from surgery.
We pray for those
who cannot be here
because they face
and experience
the difficulties
and the challenges
of old age
and of discomfort.
Lord,
we ask that you
would be pleased
to bless them,
bless them
wherever they are
and give them,
Lord, to know
your presence
and of your being
with them
and those who trust
in you.
And any who do not,
Lord,
bring them,
we pray,
to that position
of faith
and of trust
so that they come
to know the living God
and come to rejoice
in his salvation.
We ask now
that you would continue
to bless us here
and as we turn
to your word
once again
we pray
for the light
that comes
from your Holy Spirit
opening up our minds,
our understanding
and also renewing
our will
and giving us,
O Lord,
that inward appetite
and hunger
for your word
and for your presence
and enable us
as we do so
to know,
Lord,
again
of a thankful heart
as we express
our thanks to you.
Receive us
then we pray
and cleanse us
from all our sins
for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
I'm going to read
tonight
from the Gospel
of Luke
chapter 22.
We're going to be
looking at some verses
from 1 Corinthians
actually looking
at our warrants
that we usually read
when we come
to administer
the Lord's Supper
but we'll look
at the way
it's rooted
obviously
in the way
in which Jesus
spoke on the night
in which he was betrayed
and spoke in such a way
to the disciples
as we find
in these verses.
So Luke chapter 22
and from verse 7
and we'll read down
as far as verse 30.
Then came the day
of unleavened bread
on which the Passover lamb
had to be sacrificed.
So Jesus sent Peter
and John saying
go and prepare
the Passover for us
that we may eat it.
They said to him
where would you
have us prepare it?
He said to them
behold
when you have
entered the city
a man carrying
a jar of water
will meet you.
Follow him
into the house
that he enters
and tell the master
of the house
the teacher says
to you
where is the guest room
where I may eat
the Passover
with my disciples?
And he will show you
a large upper room
furnished
prepare it there.
And they went
and found it
just as he had told them
and they prepared
the Passover.
And when the hour came
he reclined at table
and the apostles
with him
and he said to them
I have earnestly
desired to eat
this Passover
with you
before I suffer
for I tell you
I will not eat it
until it is fulfilled
in the kingdom of God.
And he took a cup
and when he had given thanks
he said
take this and divide it
among yourselves
for I tell you
that from now on
I will not drink
of the fruit of the vine
until the kingdom
of God comes.
And he took bread
and when he had given thanks
he broke it
and gave it to them
saying
this is my body
which is given
for you
do this
in remembrance
of me.
Likewise the cup
after they had eaten
saying
this cup
that is poured out
for you
is the new covenant
in my blood
but behold
the hand of him
who betrays me
is with me
on the table
for the son of man
goes as it has
been determined
but woe
to that man
by whom he is
betrayed.
And they began
to question one another
which of them
it could be
who was going
to do this.
A dispute also
arose among them
as to which of them
was to be regarded
as the greatest.
And he said to them
the kings of the Gentiles
exercise lordship over them
and those in authority
over them
are called benefactors
but not so with you
rather let the greatest
among you
become as the youngest
and the leader
as one who serves.
For who is the greater
one who reclines
at table
or one who serves?
Is it not the one
who reclines
at table
but I am among you
as the one
who serves?
You are those
who have stayed
with me
in my trials
and I assign to you
as my father
assigned to me
a kingdom
that you may eat
and drink
at my table
in my kingdom
and sit on thrones
judging
the twelve tribes
of Israel.
Amen
and may the Lord
once again
bless to us
our reading
of his word.
Let's turn again
to praise him
this time
from Psalm number 40
Psalm number 40
in the Scottish Psalter
that's on page 259
We'll sing verses 1 to 5
six stanzas
to the double
verse 5
I waited for the Lord
my God
and patiently
did bear
at length to me
he did incline
my voice
and cry to hear
he took me
from a fearful pit
and from the miry clay
and on a rock
he set my feet
establishing
my way
verses 1 to 5
I waited for the Lord
my God
and patiently
did bear
but led to me
he didn't lie
my voice
and cry
to hear
he took me
from the fearful pit
and from the miry clay
and on a rock
he set my feet
establishing my way
a new song
in my mouth
a God
to magnify
many
shall see
his hands
shall fear
and on
the Lord
rely
O blessed
is
the man
whose trust
upon
the Lord
relies
respecting
not
the proud
nor such
as
turn aside
to lies
O Lord
my God
who many are
the wonder
shall
pass
done
thy gracious
thoughts
to us
were far
above
all thoughts
are gone
in your turn
and can
reckon
them
to thee
if them
declare
and speak
of them
I would
they
bore
and can
be
numbered
high
now will you
turn with me
this evening
to 1 Corinthians
chapter 11
1 Corinthians
chapter 11
and we'll begin
reading at
verse 23
and this is the
passage for a
short time
we'll look at
this evening
verses 23
to 26
for I received
from the Lord
what I also
delivered to you
that the Lord
Jesus on the night
when he was
betrayed
took bread
and when he
had given
thanks he
broke it
and said
this is my
body
which is
for you
do this
in remembrance
of me
in the same
way also
he took
the cup
after supper
saying
this cup
is the new
covenant
in my blood
do this
as often
as you
drink it
in remembrance
of me
for as often
as you eat
this bread
and drink
the cup
you proclaim
the Lord's
death
until
he comes
well we're
here as we
know to
make preparation
for coming
to the
communion
table
to take
communion
to partake
of the
Lord's
supper
and as I
was going
through these
words and
these verses
it certainly
came to me
that the
three main
elements that
we find in
our Christian
walk
our Christian
practice
faith
love
and hope
that they
can actually
be found
in some
of the
terminology
of these
verses
and that we
can therefore
say that
taking communion
is itself
an act of
faith
it's also
an act
of love
it's also
an act
of hope
it is
an act
of faith
if you
focus on
the words
this
is my
body
you come
to the
Lord's
table
and you
take these
words
and you
discern
in these
elements
the
Lord's
body
what
happened
on the
night
in which
he was
betrayed
and then
when you
think of
the word
remember
or remembrance
do this
in remembrance
of me
which is
following
what the
Lord himself
had said
to the
disciples
you can
see that
partaking
of the
supper
or taking
communion
is an
act of
love
because
in remembrance
you're
reflecting
upon
what
Christ
did
and how
in his
great
act of
love
he gave
himself
to the
death
of the
cross
and now
in response
you at
the Lord's
supper
take
these elements
that represent
his death
and in return
you love
him
as you
take
the bread
and the
cup
and then
thirdly
it's also
taking
communion
is also
an act
of
hope
because
as it
says here
you proclaim
the Lord's
death
until
he
comes
so you're
looking
forward
in the
exercise
of hope
as well
as of
love
and of
faith
you look
forward
in the
exercise
of hope
to the
return
of the
Lord
you look
forward
to the
time
when
the
Lord's
supper
will be
replaced
by the
marriage
banquet
of the
lamb
and as
you partake
of the
Lord's
supper
so that
carries
you
forward
in your
thoughts
in the
exercise
of your
soul
along
with faith
and with
love
hoping
in a
positive
way
eagerly
awaiting
for
the
return
of
Jesus
so
taking
communion
is
an act
of
faith
he
took
this
bread
and when
he had
given
thanks
he said
this
is my
body
which
is
for
you
in
the
same
way
he
took
the
cup
and
said
this
cup
is
the
new
covenant
in
my
blood
this
is
my
body
this
is
the
new
covenant
in
my
blood
and
as
you
come
to
the
Lord's
supper
and
partake
of
the
Lord's
supper
you
do
so
in
the
exercise
of
your
faith
it's
your
faith
that
you
exercise
when
you
look
at
these
elements
the
bread
and
the
cup
and
you
believe
in
what
they
represent
you
believe
you
trust
in
the
Jesus
that's
essentially
a main
aspect
of what
faith
is
trusting
in
Christ
and
in
theological
terms
or
logical
terms
and
in
the
theology
of
our
salvation
faith
comes
before
love
although
they are
of course
joined
together
inseparably
you
believe
you
trust
in
the
Lord
Jesus
that's
what
joins
you
believingly
savingly
to
Christ
and
it's
that
then
ushers
you
into
a
life
and
a
discipleship
of
love
where
you
love
him
and
so
faith
and
actually
the
actions
of
the
table
I
think
are
significant
just
to
briefly
mention
it
certainly
it was
always
the
case
in
our
forefathers
that
they
saw
the
actions
of
the
table
themselves
to
be
significant
because
Jesus
did
say
take
eat
take
this
cup
drink
of
it
there
is
a
specific
physical
action
on our
part
taking
the
cup
taking
the
bread
which
itself
outwardly
represents
your
taking
of
Jesus
to
yourself
now
you've
done
that
already
before
you've
come
to
the
Lord
Supper
you've
come
to
Jesus
you've
placed
your
trust
in
him
and
placing
your
trust
in
him
means
you
have
taken
him
as
your
saviour
and
when
you
reach
forward
and
take
these
elements
in
the
Lord
Supper
you're
again
doing
something
representative
if you
like
it is
to you
outwardly
what
you've
done
in
your
soul
already
and
here
in
your
soul
again
you're
reaching
out
as it
were
with
the
hands
of
faith
and
taking
Jesus
again
to
yourself
in
a
way
that
confirms
your
relationship
with
him
that
confirms
him
as
your
saviour
in
a
way
that
says
Lord
I've
already
taken
you
spiritually
by
believing
in
you
and
my
trusting
in
you
and
I'm
actually
again
confirming
that
as I
take
these
elements
in
the
Lord
Supper
you
see
these
elements
as
themselves
representing
and
indeed
as
a
catechism
reminds us
they're a
sign
and a
seal
a
seal
being
something
that
confirms
the
death
of
Christ
a
sign
and
a
seal
of
what
we
are
in
Christ
they
don't
convey
themselves
salvation
but
they
do
confirm
the
salvation
that
we
have
received
by
faith
in
Christ
they
are
a
sign
and
a
seal
and
as
you
think
of
trusting
in
the
Lord
there
is
of
course
the
element
of
obedience
along
with
trusting
because
obedience
is an
essential
element
of
faith
you
cannot
think
of
believing
without
also
carrying
in it
the
element
of
obedience
that's
something
the
Bible
itself
makes
very
clear
think
for
example
of
Romans
chapter
6
that
wonderful
chapter
that talks
about
our being
separated
from
sin
as the
dominant
factor
and power
in our
lives
to be
brought
into
union
with
Christ
and under
the
direction
of
the
Holy
Spirit
and
remember
in
that
chapter
verse
17
of
Romans
6
you find
Paul
saying
thanks
be
to
God
that
you
who
were
once
slaves
of
sin
have
become
obedient
from
the
heart
to
the
standard
of
teaching
to
which
you
were
committed
or
delivered
and
having
been
freed
from
sin
you
have
become
slaves
or
bond
servants
of
righteousness
now
these
words
there
are
important
I
know
we've
mentioned
them
before
you
by
obedience
you
were
once
slaves
of
sin
but
you've
become
obedient
from
the
heart
to
the
standard
of
teaching
to
which
you
were
delivered
in
other
words
what
God
did
and
separating
you
off
from
the
power
of
sin
the
dominance
of
sin
that
once
characterized
your
life
as
an
unsaved
sinner
he
didn't
just
release
you
or
take
you
from
the
attachment
that
sin
had
to
you
and
you
had
to
sin
he
something
he
delivered
you
to
this
standard
this
form
of
teaching
that
he
has
given
us
in
the
gospel
or
in
his
word
and
so
obedience
to
Christ
is at
the
heart
of
that
you
have
the
same
in
first
Peter
the
very
beginning
of
that
letter
of
first
Peter
again
teaches
us
that
this
is
in
fact
what
the
purpose
of
God
was
in
sending
Christ
into
the
world
and
coming
to
save
God's
own
people
he
says
to
those
who
are
elect
exiles
of
the
dispersion
he
mentions
then
those
regions
according
to
the
foreknowledge
of
God
the
Father
in
the
sanctification
of
the
spirit
for
obedience
to
Jesus
Christ
and
for
sprinkling
with
his
blood
better
I
think
in
the
old
translation
in
that
instance
for
obedience
and
sprinkling
of
the
blood
of
Jesus
Christ
he
brought
you
under
the
provision
of
the
death
of
Christ
the
sprinkling
of
his
blood
that's
what
it
signifies
and
as
he
brought
you
under
the
provisions
of
that
so
that's
God
bringing
us
to
obedience
to
this
Christ
that's
why
Jesus
came
that's
the
purpose
of
his
death
to
bring
us
to
this
point
where
we're
savingly
united
to
him
by
faith
the
faith
that
involves
trusting
in
him
the
faith
that
involves
obedience
to
him
and
of
course
we
remember
too
that
obedience
is very
much
a part
of
coming
to
take
communion
the
Lord
doesn't
actually
present
it
to
us
as
something
that's
just
a bit
of
a
take
it
or
leave
it
thing
he
doesn't
say
well
there's
the
Lord's
supper
there's
the bread
and there's
the cup
take it
if you
like
if you
think
it's
appropriate
then
take
it
no
he
says
take
it
it's
a
command
of
his
it's
an
imperative
he
doesn't
just
bring
us
to
think
of
the
Lord's
supper
as
something
that's
there
and then
leave it
to
ourselves
to think
of
whether
it's
a
good
thing
or
not
it
comes
with
the
Lord's
specific
command
that's
what
Jesus
said
take
the
cup
take
the
spread
obey
the
voice
of
the
Lord
the
command
of
the
Lord
in
other
words
in
the
old
days
certainly
in
Scotland
as
well
the
Lord
wasn't
there
that
it
began
but
the
communion
very
often
used
to
be
called
the
action
and
the
sermon
on
the
day
of
communion
which
invariably
in
those
days
would
have
been
something
to
do
with
the
atonement
with
the
death
of
Christ
or
the
obedience
of
Christ
himself
was
called
the
action
sermon
the
action
sermon
was
a
sermon
about
the
action
of
Jesus
in
giving
himself
to
the
death
of
the
cross
and
you
can
see
from
that
how
obedience
fits
into
that
just
as
Christ
obeyed
the
father's
will
in
giving
himself
to
the
death
of
the
cross
so
in
loving
response
and
believing
response
and
obedient
response
we
come
to
the
Lord's
supper
and
we
take
the
bread
and
the
cup
in
response
to
his
command
to
us
of course
it's
a loving
command
it's not a
command with
anything other
than his
divine love
behind it
but it is
authoritative
it is the
Lord's
command
it's something
that
comes to
us
in
conscience
and says
to us
look this is
what I have
done
for your
salvation
what I require
of you
what I command
is that you
do this
for me
that you
take
this
cup
that you
take
this
bread
so there's
the action
of
obedience
taking
communion
is an
act
of
faith
the
faith
that
involves
trusting
and
involves
obedience
to
Christ
secondly
taking
communion
is an
act
of
love
and the
focus
as we
said
is on
remembrance
do
this
as often
as you
drink
it
in
remembrance
of
me
this
is my
body
which is
for you
do this
in
remembrance
of
me
so in
both
for both
the
bread
and also
the
cup
the
remembrance
is attached
to both
in other words
the whole
of the
supper
itself
and partaking
of the
supper
is very
much
an act
of love
in
remembrance
of what
Jesus
has done
and as
you come
to remember
what Jesus
has done
your
remembrance
is one
of
thanksgiving
along
with
love
and
faith
and
hope
because
the
love
of
God's
people
is a
love
that
is
itself
accompanied
by
or perhaps
you might
say even
includes
the element
of
thanksgiving
it's
impossible
to think
of
loving
the
Lord
without
giving
thanks to
the
Lord
you
don't
come
to
the
Lord's
supper
giving
thanks
without
your
love
being
involved
you
don't
come
to
express
your
love
by
taking
the
communion
without
your
thanksgiving
being
involved
in
that
as
well
Jesus
gave
thanks
as
he
came
to
this
point
representing
his
own
death
he
took
the
bread
he
gave
thanks
we read
something
quite
amazing
in
Luke
chapter
22
it's
what
he
said
to
the
disciples
with
earnest
desire
I
have
desire
to
eat
this
with
you
before
I
suffer
isn't
that a
remarkable
thing
because
there is
Jesus
knowing
full
well
what
that
bread
and
that
cup
represent
as
far as
he's
concerned
that's
the
cross
that's
his
own
life
being
poured
out
in
death
for
his
people
that's
what
they
represent
these
elements
and
yet
he
comes
to
that
occasion
he
comes
to
that
moment
of
instituting
the
Lord's
supper
in
the
bread
and
in
the
cup
in
a
way
that
expresses
his
earnest
desire
to
do
this
his
heart
is
100%
set
on
the
sufferings
of
the
cross
for
the
benefit
of
his
people
that's
love
for you
greater
love
has
no
man
than
this
as
John
put it
that
a
man
laid
down
his
life
for
his
friends
he
laid
down
his
life
for
those
that
would
come
to
be
his
friends
those
that
would
enjoy
eternal
life
through
faith
and
trust
in
him
and
we
come
to
give
thanks
early
fathers
in
some
denominations
you'll
still find
the word
used
it's a
good
word
a
word
for
the
Lord's
Supper
which
is
the
Eucharist
comes
from a
Greek
verb
meaning
to
give
thanks
and
when
you
hear
of
the
Lord's
Supper
called
the
Eucharist
you
think
about
the
giving
of
thanks
that
Jesus
himself
did
before
he
gave
this
bread
and
this
wine
this
cup
of
wine
to
the
disciples
and
also
how
we
come
to
give
thanks
you'll
know
yourselves
and
it's
a
very
significant
point
in
the
communion
procedure
that
when
we
come
down
as
ministers
to
the
table
and
just
before
we
do
anything
else
by way
of
giving
out
the
elements
we
give
thanks
and
we
say
that
we
follow
the
Lord's
example
in
giving
thanks
this
is
a
Eucharistic
occasion
this
is a
time
to
specifically
give
thanks
for
all
that
set
out
before
us
represented
in
the
Lord's
Supper
what a
great
privilege
that
is
to
express
your
thanks
not
only
by
words
from
your
mouth
and
by
singing
the
praises
of
God
and
by
talking
to
one
another
about
the
wonders
the
Lord
has
done
what a
privilege
to
give
thanks
by
the
very
act
of
taking
the
communion
taking
it
as
an
act
of
love
in
which
your
thankfulness
is
expressed
and
as we
come
and
anticipate
coming
to
the
Lord's
Supper
again
remember
what
he
did
remember
his
love
remember
how
he
showed
his
love
remember
that
he
died
for
his
people
and
not
only
is it
a
thankfulness
that's
expressed
in
taking
the
communion
there's
also
a
proclaiming
of
Christ
because
your
love
for
Christ
your
love
that
you
express
by
taking
the
communion
by
coming
to
the
Lord's
table
in
that
love
you
actually
want
others
to
come
and
partake
of
it
as
well
you
want
to
make
this
Jesus
known
to
others
you
want
to
proclaim
what
Jesus
has
done
for
you
and
you
do
that
in
your
witness
you
do
that
in
your
testimony
from
day
to
day
you
do
that
in
your
Christian
life
in
your
Christian
walk
but
this
word
that
Paul
uses
here
the
word
proclaim
is
used
specifically
about
the
Lord's
supper
and
what
happens
when
you
take
the
communion
you
proclaim
the
Lord's
death
until
he
comes
and
it's
a
word
that
the
word
proclaim
the
Lord's
death
in
other
words
the
Lord's
supper
makes
an
announcement
or
you
might
say
you're
making
an
announcement
through
taking
the
Lord's
supper
and
that
announcement
has
to do
with
Jesus
and
his
death
you
proclaim
the
Lord's
death
you
come
to
the
Lord's
supper
and
to
yourself
you're
proclaiming
the
death
of
Jesus
to
those
who
are
watching
you
at
the
Lord's
supper
you're
proclaiming
the
death
of
we
don't
often
perhaps
give
maybe
not
enough
emphasis
to
that
but
taking
communion
on the
part of
the
Lord's
people
is
actually
an
evangelistic
act
of
love
it
makes
its
own
declaration
this
is
the
death
of
Jesus
represented
this
is
the
love
of
Christ
as
he
gave
himself
for
his
people
I
can't
explain
how
exactly
the
Lord's
supper
does
that
but
this
is
what
God's
word
is
saying
and
in
the
hands
of
God
in
the
hands
of
the
Holy
Spirit
that
table
that
communion
becomes
a
means
of
expressing
to
those
who
are
partaking
and
especially
to
those
who
are
watching
just
as
the
gospel
message
the
preached
word
of
God
proclaims
the
death
of
Christ
so
does
the
Lord's
supper
it's
the
same
death
the
same
Calvary
the
same
person
the
same
Lord
but
in
a
different
manner
and
the
Lord's
supper
is
precious
to you
for
that
reason
too
that
in
it
you
find
a
proclamation
of
the
death
of
Christ
the
one
you
love
taking
communion
is
an
act
of
faith
taking
communion
is
an
act
of
love
but
taking
communion
thirdly
is
an
act
of
hope
do
this
you
remember
you
proclaim
the
Lord's
death
until
he
comes
the
focus
is
on
the
return
of
Jesus
somebody
has
said
in
the
Lord's
supper
that
we're
looking
different
ways
we're
looking
backwards
to
something
that
happened
at
Calvary
where
the
death
of
Jesus
actually
took
place
we're
looking
upwards
to
God
the
father
especially
and to
Jesus
as he
now
is
because
this
is
what
God
himself
has
arranged
and
purposed
and done
for
us
and
not
only
are
we
looking
backwards
and
looking
upwards
we're
looking
sideways
or
around
us
because
the
Lord's
supper
is
God's
people
unitedly
remembering
the
death
of
the
Lord
you
remember
you
take
with
you
in
the
remembrance
your
fellow
Christians
your
fellow
believers
you're
looking
around
even
though
you
have
your
own
particular
individual
relationship
to
Jesus
you
remember
what
Paul
actually
said
to
the
Corinthians
and
you
find
it
elsewhere
in
the
Bible
when
you
come
together
when
you
come
together
when
you
come
as
a
people
united
in
Christ
you
look
to
those
with
you
in
celebrating
the
Lord's
supper
and
remembering
the
Lord's
death
you
look
around
you
also
look
inwardly
you
examine
yourself
before
you
come
you
look
backwards
you
look
upwards
you
look
around
you
look
inwards
that's
what we
require
to do
let a
man
examine
himself
let a
person
examine
himself
verse
28
and so
eat of
the bread
and drink
of the
cup
examination
you see
is not
intended
to conclude
in not
coming to
the Lord's
supper
the emphasis
there is
in
examining
yourself
and so
eat of
the bread
and drink
of the
cup
of course
that doesn't
mean that
the examining
is done
casually
it doesn't
mean that
if we find
something there
that the
Bible
obviously
shows us
is a
grievous
sin
against the
Lord
that is
something
that we
should have
dealt
with
and haven't
repented
of
then that
is a
different
matter
but
the
examination
is with
a
view
to
coming
to
the
table
you
look
inwardly
as well
as around
you
and upward
and also
backward
and finally
you look
forward
it's until
he comes
you look
for the
return
of the
Lord
and so
it is
an act
of hope
partaking
of the
Lord's
supper
and you
remember
those great
words in
the song
of Solomon
saying
they're
directly
applicable
to
the
Lord's
supper
itself
as such
but
certainly
the
older
theologians
used to
take
these
verses
as
descriptive
of
our
personal
relationship
with
God
and
Christ
or with
Jesus
himself
as our
saviour
and in
chapter 2
especially
you find
these words
in the
song of
Solomon
beautiful
words
where love
is expressed
between
the
beloved
the bride
and her
beloved
and
where you
find in
chapter 2
they're
saying
it's the
voice of
my beloved
behold
he comes
leaping over
the mountains
bounding over
the hills
and so on
he says
behold
she says
he stands
behind our
wall
gazing
through the
windows
looking
through the
lattice
my beloved
speaks
and says
to me
arise
my love
my beautiful
one
and come
away
for behold
the winter
is past
the rain
is over
and gone
the flowers
appear on
the earth
the time
of singing
has come
and you can
you can
really see
in those
the principles
of a
saving
relationship
to Christ
because here
is God
saying
as it
were
the
Lord's
supper
just like
the preaching
of the
word
while we're
in this
world
in this
life
is a bit
like that
lattice
work
like that
lattice
that
covered
the
windows
in those
days
and here
was
here
she was
recognizing
the outline
the shape
of her
beloved
as he
approached
the window
and looked
into where
she was
her heart
got excited
she recognized
him
she couldn't
make out
every detail
about him
but she
knew that
was him
and so
in the
Lord's
supper
you
recognize
Jesus
you discern
Christ
you
actually
have
him
set
out
representative
but for
you
he
is
there
spiritually
there
spiritually
to your
face
and you're
conscious
that you
can't yet
see
all of
him
that you
can't see
everything
that you
would like
about him
but you're
thankful
for the
way that
the supper
as well as
the word
is the
lattice
through which
you see
him
the means
that God
has given
us
that we
might see
Jesus
in that
but of
course
he's calling
us
to go
forwards
from that
go forwards
in the sense
of looking
to the
future
looking
to his
return
as he
says
there
in reply
to his
beloved
arise
my love
my beautiful
one and
come away
for behold
the winter
is past
the rain
is over
and gone
and so
on
he's
really
taking
our mind
away
from the
present
and on
into the
future
and that's
how it is
for the
Lord's
supper
as well
for God's
people
how thankful
to be
there
what a
wonderful
privilege
to benefit
from what's
there
here and
now
but it's
until he
comes
and when
he comes
there'll be
something even
better than
the Lord's
supper
there'll be
the marriage
banquet
supper
of the
lamb
the reception
of the
marriage
of Christ
and his
people
the things
of this
world
of time
will be
no more
we will be
taken above
that and
beyond that
and so
as you see
his beauty
through the
lattice of
the Lord's
supper
doesn't that
just stimulate
your heart
towards the
greater sight
of his
beauty
when he
comes
as John
puts it
now then
we are
the children
or the
sons of
God
he's no
doubt about
that in
1st John
chapter 3
what love
the father
has bestowed
that we
should be
called
the children
of God
the sons
of God
now this
is what
we are
he says
but it
has not
yet been
made clear
what we
shall be
but we
know that
when he
shall appear
we shall
be like
him
for we
shall see
him
as he
is
and if
it's
thrilling
as it
should be
for us
to see
him through
the lattice
of the
Lord's
supper
what a
thrill it's
going to
be when
you see
him as
he is
for a
moment
that's
going to
be
when he
returns
he's not
going to
return
with the
modest
clothes
of his
humiliation
he's not
going to
return
unrecognized
by many
in this
world
he's going
to return
in his
splendor
in the
greatness
of his
might and
power
in the
magnificence
of his
kingship
in the
beauty
of his
being
Lord
and that's
what the
supper
is preparing
us for
it's giving
us a
glimpse
into
what is
yet to
be
though we're
thankful
for what
now is
and of
course
when he
comes
we shall
then be
with him
we shall
see him
as he
is
we shall
be like
him
and we
shall be
with him
forevermore
and that's
again what
the Lord's
supper does
it feeds
your hope
because your
hope is a
positive hope
that leans
and stretches
forward
to the
return of
Christ
as Jesus
himself put
it in that
great prayer
recorded in
John chapter
17
father I
will
that those
whom you
have given
me be
with me
where I
am
that they
may behold
my glory
you see
the glory
of Jesus
through the
Lord's
supper
in a
measure
you
appreciate
something
of it
through
that
lattice
but oh
what a day
it will
be
when we
sit down
with our
king
and celebrate
at the
marriage
supper
of the
lamb
to see
the king
in his
beauty
and to
be with
him
forevermore
an
everlasting
banquet
for which
the Lord's
supper
prepares your
heart
and hope
taking
communion
is an
act of
faith
it's also
an act
of love
it's also
an act
of hope
and when
we come
God willing
tomorrow
to the
Lord's
supper
and to
partake
of the
supper
may it
be for
you
and for
me
a
strengthening
of our
faith
a deepening
of our
love
an expansion
and confirming
of our
hope
let's pray
Lord we
thank you
for all
that this
supper
represents
by your
own
divine
appointment
we thank
you for
the blessings
that your
people have
received from
this supper
down through
the centuries
peace
and we pray
oh Lord
as we
anticipate
once again
to sit
at the
Lord's
table
and partake
of the
communion
oh Lord
help us
we pray
to express
to you
our need
of being
taken
by yourself
and know
your Holy
Spirit
enlarging
our love
strengthening
our faith
and confirming
our hope
we pray
that your
word
and the
sacrament
itself
will be
blessed
to us
to that
end
continue
Lord
we pray
to encourage
those who
seek to
come for
the first
time
may the
Lord
find that
it's not
the extent
of their
faith
the measure
of their
love
or the
quality of
their hope
that forms
the basis
on which
they come
to remember
the Lord's
death
but that
they trust
in you
and believe
what you
have done
and appreciate
and love
all of that
for themselves
hear us
we pray
for Jesus
sake
Amen
let's conclude
this evening
our worship
in Psalm 116
Psalm 116
on page 154
and we're
singing
verses 1 to
9
the first
four stanzas
I love
the Lord
because he
heard my
voice
he listened
when I
cried to
him
for aid
I'll call
on him
as long
as I
shall live
because he
turned to
hear me
when I
prayed
verses 1 to
9 to
God's
praise
I love
the Lord
because he
heard my
voice
he
listened
when
I
cried
to him
for aid
I'll
call on
him
as long
as I
shall
live
because he
turned to
hear me
when I
he
gave
the
horse
of death
glim
and
entangled
me
upon
me
gave
thee
and
wish
of
again
with
me
and
trouble
I
was
overcome
then
on
the
name
of
God
I
called
Lord
save
the
Lord
the
God
is
kind
and
full
of
grace
both
righteous
and
compassionate
is he
the
Lord
protects
all
those
of
childlike
faith
when
I
was
in
great
need
he
rescued
me
he
rescued
me
rest
oh
my soul
God
has
been
good
to you
for
you
oh
Lord
have
saved
my
soul
from
death
my
feet
from
stumbling
and
my
eyes
from
tears
that
I
may
live
for
you
while
I
have
breath
now may
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
the love of God the Father
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore
Amen