Last night was one of the most meaningful Lord’s Supper celebrations I have ever experienced. The auditorium was packed – the most we’ve ever had. Joel had the band rockin’, and everyone seemed to be singing with genuine enthusiasm as we reflected on the sacrifice of Christ. Paul spoken with conviction and passion like I’d never heard before. The unique approach to communion and the lines of people waiting to take the elements was very moving. The canvas of hundreds of handprints that represent the band of fully devoted Christ-followers who are willing to give their very lives for Christ and his work through the ministry of Metro brought tears to my eyes. We have an amazing God who is continuing to build and grow an amazing church. I am so blessed to be a part of it.
Paul’s challenge from scripture was – Because God in Christ has given His very life for us; because He has given us His Word to give clarity and direction for living a life of fulfillment and purpose; because He has given us His Spirit to live within us and empower us to become more than we’ve ever imagined – what response can we give that is anything short of rejoicing? If serving God isn’t done with joy, we’re inviting people into a false reality. We have absolutely no excuse for a gloomy disposition or critical and complaining spirit. Everything about us should shout out and reveal that we are grateful for what God is doing in our lives and that we are passionately pursuing His purposes for His glory!
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 (NIV)
If you celebrated the Lord’s Supper last night, I invite you to share your experience and how it impacted you. Looking forward to reading your post!
The little boy who stole my heart
14 years ago
Last nights Lord's Supper was very possibly the best service I have attended at Metro. Paul's passion was pouring out of him like I have never seen. He is an incredible leader and a inspiration to me. The attendance was incredible and the particiption was even more incredible. I just kept looking around and seeing the smiles and tears thinking, God is using Metro to change so many lives in order to change so many other lives. It was so exciting. Seeing everyone line up to take communion on their own and then wait in line while continuing to sing praise and thanks to God was inspiring. Looking at the canvas after servous and realizing that eveyone had put their hand on saying I commit my life to living out the vision of God and this church was very moving.
ReplyDeleteSeeing and hearing Paul celebrate after the last song was exilerating. The Holy Spirit was pouring out of him and everyone so powerfully that you could not help but feel him rushing through your heart and soul.
Thank you Metro Community Church and eveyone who is a part of this church for changing my life. I am so proud to be a part of what is going on here.
I, too, found the Lord's Supper last night to be one of the most meaningful services I have ever attended. I grew up in a conservative church where we just did not openly rejoice like we did last night. If anyone would have told me a few years ago that I would one day be singing in the aisles of a church and making a life commitment with my "hand signature," I would never have believed them! I realized last night that I have MUCH to be thankful for and I've personally made a commitment to live a life full of joy, to have a servant's heart, and to do my best to lead others to Christ.
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ReplyDeleteI was in the nursery with the 3-5 year olds, so I missed it. BUT, I LOVED hearing everyone's reaction when they came and picked up their children! I'm just so happy to be part of a church that emphasizes the Lord's Supper as a time for fellowship and worship for Believers.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, I was happy to serve in the nursery so other parents could participate in the service. AND I also got to add "my hand" to the painting afterwards.
Pastor Gary~
ReplyDeleteI regret to say that I was unable to attend Lord's Supper because I was home with a sick child. In fact, had I been at Metro, I'd have been helping in Nursery. However, I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to read the comments that you and others have posted. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Stacey Micklevitz
I'm grateful that I was there to experience the Lord's Supper in this most unique way. When my painted hand touched the canvas, I didn't expect it to move me so much. It was like Christ's hand was right there pressing against mine. It sent shivers through me. Awesome music. awesome message. All to bring glory to an awesome God.
ReplyDeleteCathy Foland
Wow was that a memorable night for me! I thought at first that the lines would take away from the spiritual feeling of the Lords Supper, but as I started to walk, I started to dance and clap and pray and so did everyone else!! I quickly changed my mind as my heart was changed. Pastor Paul has it goen on!!
ReplyDeleteBrenda H.
I wish I could touch someone that is a non believer or disconnected and let them feel for one second the power that I felt wed. night. The feeling of the Holy Spirit is like steroids for the soul. I have been struggling in several areas of my life and was given answers and a renewing of " WHAT IT IS TRULY ALL ABOUT!" I am so happy to be part of the Metro family and it's vision!
ReplyDeleteScott Ivie
Ditto on the first part of Scott's comment. I have people in my life that don't know God the way we do. I was trying not to let the positive emotions spill out as tears. God's love is overwhelming. Pastor Paul is so real - when he gets emotional it really hits home what we should be doing. The handprints on the canvas was an awesome thing. ... Read MoreAnd I have my handprint card up at work, and I know that's one area I struggle with in showing joy while there's negative influences. I felt so different, so uplifted, I couldn't wait to get to work to be intentionally joyful when I receive negative attitudes from callers at our branches (former AG Edwards,now Wachovia). I also wrote a positive message to go with my e-mail signature, although it doesn't say anything about faith. I have some new people around me, maybe someone will hear me on the phone and be drawn to that.
ReplyDeleteJulie Mead
I told Paul that it would be hard for him to out due the fantastic job he did with the Lord's Supper in the future. I could not only feel the Holy Spirit moving in me, but also among the other Christ followers.
ReplyDeleteI too had tears in my eyes.
Dale Beard
I love the vision cast by Metro...its so practical and real! I am especially challenged to intentionally develop relationships with the disconnected. A great avenue are all the parents that I meet at my kids activities. I am challenged to reach out and speak the truth. I was also challenged to pray throughout my day. For kids that I come into contact everyday at school and as I walk through the halls. I am so excited to be a part of a church that is not just good but GREAT!
ReplyDeleteRodney Winslow
I have to echo what so many are saying, not just the people who have answered this blog, I've heard from many that it was by far the most moving service I have been to at Metro in a very long time. I was moved more deeply than I have ever been before and I truly felt God's presence everywhere in that church. I definitely had a life changing experience and am still flying from that night.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased to say that I had brought two women from my small group that had never attended a Lord's Supper service before and were a little apprehensive. I offered to drive and they decided to come. BOTH said it was the best service they had been to and we were all on such a high when we got in the car it was all we could talk about! Both of them said they didn't think they'd be able to sleep that night they were so moved and excited!
I feel truly blessed to call Metro my home. I am thankful to have such great leadership and such an incredible church family!
Karine Cooper
It evolved into a Great and special night of Fellowship for me. I met new members in the Body and we shared God’s Love for us, with each other. It meant to me, recognizing that I do have commitment to God and the Vision of Metro. We demonstrated this through the placing our hand prints on the Board of commitment. I'm Thankful, for God’s leadership at Metro.
ReplyDeleteJeff A.
Wednesday night was amazing. I have never experienced a Lord's Supper that so impacted my life. I can't imagine anyone walking away from being in the auditorium without having felt the presence of God in that room. It was unbelievable. I felt so renewed and convicted all at the same time. "We have absolutely no excuse for a gloomy disposition or ... Read More critical and complaining spirit," is so entirely true. When we look at everything that God has done for us we have NO right to complain about anything or be ungrateful. I am so blessed to be a part of a church that God is really working through!
ReplyDeletePolly Vandever
I don't have enough words to describe how the service moved me. I thanked Pastor Paul for his wonderful message. I wrote on the back of the handprint to reach out to my best friend. Since the Lord's Supper I have talked more with her and purchased the Pivotal Circumstances to give to her because of all of the difficulties she is facing right now. It was so easy for me to deliver the CD to her after Paul's message. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit reached out to so many members and attenders. Needless to say, it's becoming easier for me to talk to my friends who are disconnected. Some are more challenging than others but this Lord's Supper really touched me.
ReplyDeleteIt has also made me think about comments I have made when standing out in the Arctic (well, they seem Arctic to me) weather while I greet. I will now greet joyfully. Such a small request for such a large sacrifice that God made for each of us.
Thank you Pastor Gary for posting this so we could all share our wonderful experiences from this service. As I read the others, we all share a common feeling of how blessed we are to be part of such a wonderful church. A church that is committed to fulfilling their mission statement.
Another special thanks to Joel for the awesome music. My hands were lifted in praise. And it's so wonderful to see our youth so involved during a service as well. I know Joel has an understanding of how to reach out to them through his music. They were so "into" the service as well.
This service gave me back the excitement and energy I needed to help me reach the disconnected and to be joyful always.
WOW!! maybe that sums up the joy I still feel today just typing this message and how the service made an impact in my life.
Glory to God in the Highest and praise His wonderful name.
Rhonda Lowe