Beginning on September 3, 2006, our schedule for communion and anointing will change to a more consistent pattern. Certainly, as our community comes together for worship, we proclaim Christ and celebrate His presence with us. Communion and anointing are two important ways that we proclaim Christ, and, in a more intense way, experience His presence with us. The Brethren in Christ have designated both to be celebrated in the life of congregations.

Communion
The communion meal is a gift given by Christ himself. He promises to be with us as we actively remember his gift of sacrifice and salvation. Jesus came to replace the old covenant and to provide a “new covenant in his blood” for the church. Communion is a covenant meal through which we remember together God’s promises to us as the church of Jesus Christ and our promises to live as his disciples.

In addition, we remember our relationship to one another—the communion of the body of Christ, by contemplating what it means to be broken for one another. Anticipating the coming feast of the Lamb, where we will rejoice together with Christ in heaven is another layer of remembering what has been promised to us as the children of God.

New Procedures for Communion
In order to celebrate this meal more often, the pastoral staff and deacons are planning to provide for communion on the first Sunday of each month. This pattern will begin on September 3rd. At the 9 a.m. worship service, we will continue our pattern of coming forward (or to the back) for communion one month and being served in pews the next. At the 11:15 service, the usual pattern will be to come forward (or to the back) for communion. At both services, when the pattern is to come forward, you are invited to come to one of the communion stations as you are ready. Many of you will want to stay in your pew to pray before you come. We would like to avoid long lines, so we encourage you to wait and meditate, coming when you are ready and a station is available. You are invited to receive the elements and then return to your pew, or to kneel and linger at the prayer rail for as long as you would like. Please know that we will plan for enough time so that the communion service is not rushed.

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16)

Anointing
Another way that we experience the care and healing presence of Christ in our times of particular need is through anointing. Through the rite of anointing, the community participates “with faith in God’s power and will to heal.” (Minister’s Manual, p. 67) Physical healing is often the primary reason a person would like to receive anointing, however, other types of healing may also be requested. You may sense the need for the healing of relationship between you and another person, or reconciliation with God in your spiritual life. You may sense turmoil in your spirit and need the peace of Christ to calm your soul. Perhaps you have a particular sin in your life that you need the healing touch of God for cleansing. Some people have received the physical healing they have requested, others have noticed a healing of their spirits or the restoration of a particular relationship when they have asked for physical healing. Sometimes God does not heal us as we anticipate. However, He always knows more about us than we can imagine, and will supply what is most needed, even when we maybe unaware of the problem in our lives.

New Procedures for Anointing
While we have continued to practice anointing when specifically requested, anointing will now be available to you each month. As part of our communion services, several deacons or pastors will be prepared to pray for you and anoint you with oil for specific needs. A prayer rail will be in place at the front right side of the sanctuary where you can kneel or stand. While others are being anointed, you may sit in the front pew as you wait.