About this Series
1 Corinthians
This is a series looking at one of the Apostle Paul’s longest letters. Corinth is in modern-day Greece and was a thriving commercial centre due to its proximity to the sea. As a church it certainly had its problems. But then what church doesn’t have problems?
| 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 | Peter MacPherson |
Welcome to St Alfred's
At morning and evening services we will look at Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper from 1 Corinthians 11 and then celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Anyone who is a follower of Jesus is welcome to participate regardless of denominational background. At St Alfred's we believe the Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of the death of Jesus "for us" and that as we receive with faith and thanksgiving we are strengthened individually and as a church. The Corinthian church obviously didn’t understand this and today’s reading will explain why.
With regard to children, we leave it to parents to decide when their children understand the meaning of the Lord’s Supper and are ready to receive. We provide bread, gluten-free wafers, a common cup with alcoholic wine and individual cups with non-alcoholic juice. We think this maintains the symbolism expressed in Scripture while accommodating certain practical health issues.
When you receive the bread the best thing to do is just to hold out your hands flat so the bread can be put there easily. After you have received you normally say "Amen" as a sign of thanks to God. You then move to receive the wine or juice.
Anyone present who is not sure about Jesus or is from another faith is invited to come forward and the person administering the bread would be delighted to pray a blessing for you.
The Lord’s Supper is a good time for quiet reflection. Please resist the temptation to talk.