The Eucharist table is God’s table, around which our church family gathers every Sunday night. Every piece of our worship life culminates in the Eucharist. At the table all of our worship finds it’s meaning and fullest expression.

The table we approach for the Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is similar to our dinner table at home. It is around the table that we receive the food and drink we need for our nourishment, and it is there where we connect with friends and family. The Eucharist is the meal to which all other meals aspire, because it is where God promises to meet us. Jesus, God in human flesh, on the night he was handed over to suffering and death, took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it, gave it to his disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it them and said, “Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25) Jesus knew that we needed something more than just bread and wine to keep us alive. So, Jesus gave us himself. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:35, 51) The bread we eat and the wine we drink is true food and drink. It is Jesus’ body and blood. As we take him into our bodies we are nourished by the one who is life. (John 14:6)

We gather at the table with God at Eucharist and we gather with the members of our church family. We don’t go as isolated and autonomous people. Instead we go to the table together. As a people we are united in our common need for Jesus. We may have disagreements and differing opinions, but at the Eucharist we have our only hope for forgiveness and repaired relationships because we are all united in our love for the one who gives himself in the bread and the wine.