It was during the age-old celebration of the Passover on the eve of His death that Jesus instituted a significant new fellowship meal that we observe to this day. It is an integral part of Christian worship. It causes us to remember our Lord’s death and resurrection and to look for His glorious return in the future.
It is founded on the Passover, which was the most sacred feast of the Jewish religious year. During the Last Supper—a Passover celebration—Jesus took a loaf of bread and gave thanks to God. As He broke it and gave it to His disciples, He said, “‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:19-21). He concluded the feast by singing a hymn (Matthew 26:30), and they went out into the night to the Mount of Olives. It was there that, as predicted, Jesus was betrayed by Judas. The following day Jesus was crucified.
The accounts of the Lord’s Supper are found in the Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:7-22; and John 13:21-30). The apostle Paul wrote concerning the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. In keeping with Paul’s instruction, we should examine ourselves before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
At Emmanuel, we celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month (unless it is a holiday) in our services. We have brief teaching, prayer, then the juice and bread is handed out together, then we take it together at the Pastor's instruction. Free free to join in if you are a believer in Jesus and have put your faith in Him. Feel free also to not participate and simply watch if you are unsure.
Some also ask about when their children should participate. We recommend that if your child understands the meaning behind communion and has made a personal decision to believe and follow Christ, and as a parent you are comfortable with their participation, that they are welcome to participate.