What Happens at Communion at Love Church
What Is Communion at Love Church?
You don’t need a special outfit, a perfect track record, or years of church experience to understand Communion. If you’ve never taken Communion before, or you grew up somewhere it felt more like a ritual than a meaningful moment with God, it can help to know what it is and what to expect when we take it together at Love Church.
Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper, is one of two ordinances we practice at Love Church, along with baptism. It’s a simple but meaningful way for followers of Jesus to remember what He did for us through His death and resurrection.
What Communion Means
Jesus introduced Communion the night before He went to the cross.
During a meal with His disciples, He used bread and a cup to help them understand what He was about to do. The bread represents His body, given for us, and the cup represents His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
When we take Communion, we’re remembering the sacrifice Jesus made and bringing our attention back to the center of our faith. It gives us a physical way to pause, reflect, and remember together.
Communion is personal, but it isn’t meant to be only private. There’s something meaningful about an entire church pausing at the same time to remember the same thing: Jesus gave Himself for us, and everything we have with God begins with what He has already done.
Communion Isn’t Something You Earn
Communion isn’t a reward for having a good week or getting everything right. You don’t earn the right to participate by being perfect, and you don’t have to clean yourself up before coming to the table.
It also isn’t a ritual that has power simply because we go through the motions. The bread and the cup are symbols that point us back to Jesus and what He has already accomplished. The meaning isn’t found in performing the act perfectly. It’s found in remembering Him.
Communion is also not reserved for people who seem especially spiritual or who have been following Jesus for a certain amount of time. It’s open to believers in Jesus.
Who Can Take Communion?
At Love Church, Communion is open to believers in Jesus. You don’t need to be a member of Love Church, and you don’t need to have attended for a certain length of time.
If you’re new, visiting, or joining us for the first time and you’re a believer, you’re just as welcome to take Communion as someone who has been part of the church for years.
If you’re not a believer yet, or you’re still figuring out what you believe, there’s no pressure to participate. You can simply let the elements pass and continue to listen, learn, and ask questions. No one will single you out or make it uncomfortable.
What If I Haven’t Been Baptized Yet?
Baptism and Communion are connected to our faith in Jesus, but they are two different practices.
Baptism is a public step of obedience after choosing to follow Jesus. Communion is something believers continue to practice as a way of remembering what Jesus has done.
If you’re a believer but haven’t been baptized yet, you are still welcome to take Communion with us. We’d also love to help you learn more about baptism and take that step when you’re ready, but baptism is not a requirement for participating in Communion.
What Communion Looks Like During an Encounter
When we take Communion during an Encounter, we keep it simple and unhurried. You can pick up the Communion elements as you’re walking into the auditorium, or you can receive them during Communion if you don’t already have them. Everything comes together in one prepackaged cup with both the cracker and juice.
When it’s time for Communion, you can stay right where you are. We’ll guide everyone through the moment together, giving you time to reflect and pray before taking the cracker and juice as a church.
If you choose not to participate, that’s completely okay too. You can remain in your seat and simply pass on receiving the elements. Our goal is never to pressure anyone into a spiritual moment they aren’t ready for.
Do I Need to Prepare Before Taking Communion?
You don’t need to prepare in a complicated way, but Scripture does encourage us to come to Communion thoughtfully.
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul talks about examining ourselves before taking Communion. That isn’t an invitation to look for reasons to disqualify ourselves. It’s an invitation to slow down and come honestly before God.
Communion can be a good moment to ask God to search your heart, confess anything you need to bring to Him, receive His grace, and remember again what Jesus has done for you.
Why Communion Matters
Communion isn’t just another part of an Encounter or something we do because churches have always done it. It gives us a chance to stop and remember what can be easy to lose sight of in the middle of everyday life.
Jesus gave His body for us. His blood was poured out for us. Through Him, we have forgiveness, grace, and a restored relationship with God.
Communion brings us back to that truth again and again. It’s a reminder that our faith doesn’t begin with what we can do for God. It begins with what Jesus has already done for us.
And sometimes, we simply need to stop long enough to remember.
