Bethany’s Annual Communion Meeting will be the 3rd weekend in May, 2012 (May 18-20). Services begin Friday night, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. Services on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. preceded by supper at 5:30 p.m. Meeting concludes on Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m. Communion with the observance of the Lord’s Supper and the washing of the saint’s feet will start at 11:00 a.m. Communion is in the morning this year instead of the afternoon. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)
Communion is a special time of the year when we observe the Lord’s Supper with the taking of the unleavened bread and the wine followed by the washing of the saint’s feet. Paul tells us about this communion and what it represents: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (I Cor. 10:16). We were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ which is represented by the wine. The blood was in His princely body and it was broken for the saints. Paul also explains further in I Cor. 11:24-26, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 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 oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” Jesus Christ tasted death for every child of God chosen in Christ before the world began. We are under command to observe that death in the taking of the unleavened bread and wine. The example of humility is set forth in the washing of the saint’s feet which Jesus said that we ought to do. We are happy (blessed) when we do what the Savior commands. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:17). Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and told them He had set an example that they should do as He had done. We pray the Lord will bless this service in a special way!–May 1, 2012–Elder Larry Wise