As important as it is to prepare our schedules for our congregation’s biannual Communion Seasons, it is far more important to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper. Below is an outline of the spiritual logic of a Communion Season:
THURSDAY: PUBLIC DAY OF FASTING
The Communion Season opens with a public day of fasting on Thursday, concluding with public worship in the evening. We aim to humble ourselves under the Lord’s hand throughout the day and to exercise our souls with fresh repentance for our sins. Additional times for private and family worship are encouraged, including the ordinary times for meals.
For those new to fasting, you might benefit from listening to Greenville Presbyterian Church Pastor Robert McCurley’s sermon “The Feast of Fasting.”
FRIDAY: DAY OF SELF-EXAMINATION
The focus on Friday relates to self-examination, a biblical prerequisite for coming to the table. The Westminster Larger Catechism 171 can provide some guidance for you in this exercise, along with the Larger Catechism treatment of the Ten Commandments. The theme of the sermon during the evening worship service is broadly connected to some aspect of the marks of grace.
SATURDAY: DAY OF ANTICIPATION
The thrust on Saturday is growing anticipation of communion with Christ. Hunger pains are stirred to seek the Lord with fresh faith and to relish his love. The theme of the sermon during the evening service can be on a wide array of topics related to spiritual hunger/thirst, communion with Christ, the love of God, etc.
LORD’S DAY MORNING: THE LORD’S SUPPER AND THE PREACHING OF THE WORD
The Lord’s Day morning worship service includes the administration of the sacrament by the local pastor. Communicant members of the church and admitted visitors (see note below) gather at a common table to partake of the Lord’s Supper from a common cup of wine and a common loaf of bread. The Word and sacrament must be held together, and the theme of the sermon focuses on some aspect of the atonement, the cross, and Christ‘s death.
LORD’S DAY EVENING: EVANGELISTIC MESSAGE
The Lord’s Day evening worship service turns from Christ’s redemption to address those who are still dead in their sins. The sermon carries an evangelistic thrust to the congregation, with special attention to the unconverted.
MONDAY: DAY OF THANKSGIVING
The focus on Monday, a day of thanksgiving, is our response to the Lord’s Supper. The theme of the sermon during the evening worship service addresses topics such as gratitude, new obedience, holiness, watchfulness, perseverance, etc.
For more information
If you would like a more detailed presentation of a Communion Season, we encourage you to listen to Pastor Robert McCurley’s 10-part sermon series on the topic.
A note to visitors
We would rejoice if you elected to join us at the table of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Lord’s Day during Communion Season. If you would like to do so, please schedule a time to speak with our elders before the Sunday of our Communion Season. Membership in the visible church and a credible profession of faith are required for admittance to the table. Please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule a meeting with our Session or if you have any questions.
