Waiting for Communion

At the heart of equipping people for their lifelong faith formation are the Four Key Faith Practices: Caring Conversations, Devotions, Service, and Rituals and Traditions. Growing Faith Moments have been created to encourage congregations and families to celebrate those special moments that happen in our life. It’s a gentle way of bringing God into everyday life.

Waiting for Communion

COVID-19 restrictions have changed our lives in so many ways including our ability to be physically present in one place to worship.

Many families are intentionally making time to worship at home. Worship at home generally includes listening to God’s word and responding with prayer and praise. For many families their worship at home is supported with livestream or pre-recorded worship services and messages via the internet.   But what about Holy Communion?

On April 15, 2020, our LCA College of Bishops released ‘Guidance for the LCA/NZ on suspending Holy Communion during COVID-19 social restrictions.’  (The document can be found at https://www.lca.org.au/lca-covid-19-response/ ). The document clearly communicates that Lord’s Supper is indeed a precious means by which Christ feeds and strengthens us. It also recognises that: ‘At this time, we experience deep sadness that we can’t be physically present with one another at the table, and so cannot commune’.

And so we long for the day when we will gather together again and receive Holy Communion. As we wait for that day be assured that God will continue to sustain us in his love and strengthen us for his service by the power of his spirit at work through word and prayer.

To support families as they wait, Grow Ministries has published a Growing Faith Moment to help families reflect on their worship practices and wait knowing that God loves us, remains with us and sustains us in our faith. God will continue to strengthen us so we may serve with joy even while we wait for communion.

We invite families who would normally gather to worship on a Sunday and receive Holy Communion with the congregation to consider using this Growing Faith Moment.

This Waiting for Holy Communion Growing Faith Moment is designed to be used in your home as you wait for the time when we can gather together again to receive Holy Communion.

Written by Nigel Rosenzweig - Pastor for Grow Ministries