Going Deeper

The Chalice

The chalice symbolizes the central place of communion in worship for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The X-shaped cross of the disciple Andrew is a reminder of the ministry of each person and the importance of evangelism.

Communion

For I have received of the Lord what I have also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup also 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.

I Corinthians 11:23-26 (NRSV)

From the Preamble of :"At the Table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ"

The Lord's Supper or Communion is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who are followers of Jesus Christ. The practice of Holy Communion has become the central element of worship within the Disciples tradition.

Disciples' observance of the Lord's Supper emanates from the upper room, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the living Christ is met and received in the sharing of the bread and the cup, representative of the body and blood of Jesus. The presence of the living Lord is affirmed and he is proclaimed to be the dominant power in our lives.

Baptism

Peter said to them," Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven;, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:38 (NRSV)
"Through baptism into Christ, we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God."
Just as the baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it symbolizes the death and burial of the old self of the repentant believer, and the joyous birth of a brand new being in Christ. Those who founded the Disciples movement taught baptism by immersion as the accepted form.
Baptism is a public act by which the church proclaims God’s grace, as revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through the use of a visible sign of God’s gracious initiative and the human individual’s response in faith. With other Christians we affirm that baptism is at once a divine gift and a human response.
"Word to the Church on Baptism," Commission on Theology, 1987.  Baptism, as a gift of grace, received by faith, expresses its meaning in a variety of images: new birth; a washing with water; a cleansing from sin; a sign of God’s forgiving grace; the power of new life now and the pledge of life in the age to come. The meaning of baptism is grounded in God’s redemptive action in Christ, it incorporates the believer in the community in the body of Christ, and it anticipates life in the coming age when the powers of the old world will be overcome, and the purposes of God will triumph.

Membership

Membership is open to ALL who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and are baptized in his name.

Our "Confession of faith" is straight out of the Bible.  Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"  Peter answered boldly, "You are the Christ!"  Persons who seek membership in the congregation are asked, "Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and do you accept Him as your Lord and Savior?" 

An affirmative answer to that question and baptism are the requirements for membership.  Persons who have already been baptized in another communion are welcomed with a simple reaffirmation of their faith.

Persons interested in membership often discuss matters with the pastor.  It is not unusual, however, for someone who is moved by the service to act spontaneously and step forward during the hymn of invitation at the end of the service.

Members share in the ministries of the church, exercising their God-given gifts to the Glory of God, "that all may come to know and love Jesus Christ."