13th January, 2008

 The observance of Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist in the Moravian Church is a very powerful statement being made by the Church. Jesus commands that we celebrate this Sacrament often; “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes” (1 Corinthians. 11: 25-26). Who is worthy to participate in the Holy Communion? Is it for the Righteous or for Sinners? Who determines who is worthy or not? Let the word of God speak for itself, “but let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Corinthians. 11: 28-29).

 This Sacrament as it is may seem to a new member to be quite different from the practice of some other Protestant Churches but the simple beauty and dignity of the service speaks for itself. Bread and Wine are the two elements served during the Holy Communion.

 The Holy Communion is among the most sacred services of the Church. This service as celebrated in the Moravian Church is open to communicant members of other Christian Churches. Our church assumes that every member will regularly wish to avail himself/herself of the privilege of participating in the Lord’s Supper whenever a communion service is held.

 The right hand of fellowship in the communion service symbolizes our union with one another in Christ and our pledge to him and to each other to live for him. This is a most powerful touch when we seal the Covenant with one another and God. This Covenant hymn written by Samuel T. Benade is most apt:

 “We Covenant with hand and heart to follow Christ our Lord,

With world and sin and self to part, and to obey his word,

To love each other heartily, in truth and in sincerity,

And under cross, reproach and shame, to glorify his name”.