Lesson 94
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henryLesson 94
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henryOVERSEER COURSE LESSON NINTY-FOUR
TOOL BOX FOR THE GENERAL OVERSEER AND
HIS MINISTERS
MODULE EIGHT
How to Lead an Effective Lord's Supper Observance
Henry Epps
founder
HARVEST LIFE
GLOBAL NETWORK
Overseer Course Lesson 94
Lesson Ninety-Four
How to Lead an Effective Lord's Supper Observance
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How to Lead an Effective Lord's Supper Observance
Observance of the Lord's Supper should be one of the most significant and meaningful worship
experiences for the church. To worship in this manner fulfills the command of Jesus and follows
the example of the New Testament church. The observance of the Lord's Supper is worthy of your
most prayerful planning. Here are a few ideas.
Make the Lord's Supper the focus of the entire service.— To tack it onto the end of a service is to
trivialize something sacred.
Use a variety of approaches.— Take advantage of excellent resources like Proclaim and Let's
Worship. Proclaim can now be accessed online by going to www.lifeway.com/proclaim. Find
ideas to keep the worship experience fresh. Consider inviting the congregation to come forward
by families and receive the elements. Have a candlelight Lord's Supper observance at Christmas.
Have the Lord's Supper in the fellowship hall, around tables, and pass elements around the tables,
perhaps even using a loaf of unleavened bread from which each person pulls a small piece.
Preach sermons that prepare people for the Lord's Supper.— Two brief messages on the body and
blood may be incorporated into the observance. A message on the Old Testament observance of
Passover or the sacrificial system in the Old Testament is appropriate. Sermons from the New
Testament passages on the Lord's Supper are always meaningful (see 1 Cor. 11; Mark 14; Matt.
26; Luke 22).
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Involve lots of people in the observance.— A committee of deacons or their wives should prepare
the elements. Individuals may sing, read Scriptures, or lead in prayer. In most churches it is the
custom that deacons serve the elements and a minister preside.
Use music to help lead the people into this experience of worship.— Have a choir, small group, or
soloist sing as the elements are passed.
Ask the deacons and others involved in hading the service to gather for a few minutes of prayer
and final preparation before the Lord's Supper begins.— Make sure everyone understands where
to stand, when to pass the elements, and when prayers are to take place. A diagram of the
auditorium with assignments may be helpful.
Enlist enough deacons to serve the elements in a reasonable amount of time.— It may help to start
one group serving from the back to the front while another group serves from the front to the back.
Lord's Supper Observance
Pastor takes his place behind the Lord's Supper table.
Two deacons (one probably the chairman) take places at each end of the table and fold the cover
and put it aside.
Deacons stand and take their places. (I like them to stand, half on each side of the table, facing the
congregation.)
Pastor reads 1 Corinthians 11: 23-24.
Pastor distributes the bread trays to the deacons.
One of the deacons leads in prayer.
Deacons serve the bread to the congregation.
When all are served, deacons return to their places beside the table.
Pastor serves deacons, and deacon chairman serves pastor.
Pastor says, "Jesus said, 'This is my body which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me.'
" Then all partake of bread together.
Pastor reads 1 Corinthians 11:25.
Pastor distributes juice trays to deacons.
One of the deacons leads in prayer.
Deacons will serve the juice to the congregation.
When all are served, deacons return to their places beside the table.
Pastor serves deacons; deacon chairman serves pastor.
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Pastor says, "Jesus said, 'This is my blood which is shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'
" Then all will drink the juice together.
The entire congregation may sing an appropriate hymn.
