Communion Message
Reading from John 1
January 30, 2005
Pastor Leighton Sheley

In the gospel of John we find these words:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

May God bless the reading of His word. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures say at times like this we should examine our self. The Scriptures say that in our hour of need we may boldly approach the throne of mercy and grace. I'd like to invite you, if you are physically able, to join with me now as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

Lord we are so thankful that we can come to You; that You invite us to come to You in our hour of need to receive mercy and grace. Your word says if we confess our sin you are faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Each and every one of us is a sinner, and each and every one of us sins against You in thought, word, or deed each and every day.

Thank you Lord that Your mercies are new every morning, that we can come and ask and You are pleased to provide cleansing and forgiveness. Let us partake of the bread, and also the cup.

Lord we partake of these sacred elements in remembrance of You. Thank you Lord for hearing our prayer and inhabiting our praise. In Jesus' name we pray, and all God's people said, amen. So be it.