Communion ... The word means fellowship, sharing, holding something in common. For followers of Christ, it's a special time of worship where we remember Jesus' great love. Anyone who shares our faith in Christ is welcome to attend. We also welcome people who would like to observe the symbolism without participating. We CELEBRATE communion monthly in three different ways.  One month we celebrate the bread and the cup during the service. Another month we celebrate communion in our small groups.   Each small group chooses by the leading of the Holy Spirit what format/mode works best for their group - some do just the bread and the cup while others celebrate threefold communion.  The next month we have an all-church threefold communion after the morning service.  This celebration includes three elements:

BREAD & CUP - Symbols of Christ's broken body and shed blood

We take the Bread and Cup in obedience to Christ, observing this symbol of love until He returns. This act reminds each believer of the price He paid for us.

"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." 1 Corinthians 11:26

FOOT WASHING - "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." John 13:14
We practice foot washing to remember our need for daily cleansing from sin. Though it is not common in our American culture, foot washing is a symbol of love and a very meaningful time for believers.

LOVE FEAST - a simple meal, shared in Christian fellowship looking forward to the future meal with Christ (the wedding supper of the Lamb, Revelation 19:7)
We practice the Love Feast because Jesus shared it with His disciples at the Last Supper. The meal is a fellowship time characterized by His love. Eating together reminds us of our special bond to Christ and with each other.

ENCOUNTER celebrates communion on a rotating basis during the year: four times in the small group setting, five times as the bread and cup during service and three times immediately following a Sunday morning service (threefold). The dates for Communion in 2011 are:

January 16 - Threefold following the service
February - Small Groups
March 13 - Bread and Cup during service
April 17 - Threefold following the service
May - Small Groups
June 12 - Bread and Cup during service
July 17 - Bread and Cup during service
August - Small Groups
September 11 - Bread and Cup during service
October 16 - Threefold following the service
November - Small Groups
December 11 - Bread and Cup during service

For more information on the elements of Communion please read the more in-depth explanations below to understand why we celebrate the way we do. Also, feel free to contact Pastor Sean to talk more about communion at ENCOUNTER.