Presbytery worship.

“sing of the joy of his wonderful love” is the first line to the hymn we sang. In a room filled with 45-50 Presbyterian elders and ministers, we sang it like we were singing, “sing of the death of little babies in Africa”. I mumbled my way through this song as it was played on the organ like a funeral dirge. The body language in the room was saying “get on with it”.

The worst part? That was the hymn before communion was served. The liturgy was dead although the words were filled with lively images and impressive adjectives. He served communion like it was just a part of his job – a duty to be discharged. The prayer of thanksgiving was about remembering Christ’s death – nothing of his resurrection, nothing about what it means to us. Most funerals I’ve attended – even non-Christian ones – offer more hope and meaning. I ate a perfectly shaped piece of bread and drank some grape juice that, had I not been a Christian, would have been only that – although I’d have no idea why eating a small snack has anything to do with being a Christian other than Jesus did it a long time ago.

Why did I become a Christian? Because Jesus loves me enough to die on my behalf. Because Jesus rose from the dead – beat sin once and for all – and guarantees the same for me when i die or Jesus comes back. Because God is alive - working in the world and in the hearts of people that know him and ON the hearts of those that don’t. Because as a Christian, I belong to something much much bigger than I could ever be on my own – God’s kingdom.

Communion is supposed to celebrate that stuff. Eucharist (Greek word for thanksgiving) is what we’re doing. If you’re going to say thanks and talk about joy, then sing like you mean it. I’m in a better mood when the Canucks get shutout than taking communion today. The Lord’s supper is to not only to do it because Jesus did it. Otherwise, let’s go fishing in church because Jesus did. It’s to remember what his life, death and resurrection means to me and in obedience we’re doing it because he told us to do it remembering him. I should eat communion feeling more in love with Jesus afterwards. Communion is remembering the unity we share and have with God and each other. There was no language of reconciliation either to God or anyone else and no opportunity to make it right if it was off. I doubt anyone sitting around me knows my name and as a non-ordained Presbyterian, I have no standing in this court. Shouldn’t this table make us all even? And Catholic mass, is about sending out to participate in God’s Kingdom building work.

Here’s the million dollar question. WHY in the world would I want to share what I just experienced with anyone I care about?