Lord's Supper Overview

The following is an overview of the Lord's Supper at Castle Rock Bible Chapel.
If you have any questions, please ask one of the elders. We would love to speak with you about the meaning of this service, how it is structured, and why.

The focus of the Lord's Table (also called the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or Remembrance service). Hours before his crucifixion, the Lord Jesus commanded his disciples to remember and proclaim his death through the symbols of the bread and cup. We are to do this regularly until he comes (1 Cor 11:23-26). The early church did this at every official meeting (Acts 2:42, 20:7; 1 Cor 11:17-34). We follow this command, not as tradition, but with a joyful desire to keep Christ’s saving work on the cross as central to our meeting together and our lives. This regular remembrance has profound meaning for us as we worship him in thanksgiving and praise, privately repent of our sins, and pursue holy living. All for his glory and honor.

The format of this portion of the service may be unfamiliar to you. The following is a brief overview: Planned each week is a particular Scripture passage around which the service is themed. Our time begins at 8:30a with congregational singing. Next is the preaching of the Word in a sermon, followed by one more congregational song. This is followed by a speaker who will “transition” the service from music to the administration of the Lord’s Table (the bread and cup). He will read the theme passage adding some of his own thoughts to help focus our response of worship through prayer. Prior to passing the bread, the speaker will call the congregation to a time of Spirit-led personal (private) contemplation and prayer, in addition to public (corporate) prayer (men standing where they are). The passing of bread signals the end of this unplanned participation time. After the bread is passed, another man will give thanks for and pass the cup. It is our practice to partake of the bread and cup upon receiving them (i.e. not to wait for everyone else before partaking). The passing of the cup is followed by a closing prayer and doxology before dismissal.

We welcome all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to participate, receiving the symbols of the Lord's death and of our oneness in the body of Christ (1 Cor 11:27-28; 10:17). We ask those who have not personally trusted Christ for their salvation to please pass the bread and cup by, and not partake. During the unplanned open time, we aim to reinforce the biblical principle of male leadership by asking the men to lead our church family in worship through public prayers and scripture reading (1 Tim 2:8-15). We ask all believers to participate in worship as they join privately with those publicly leading.