New updates on the Campaign for Columbia—page 16
God works through These sacraments are not things, but events: Baptism and a gathered people in the presence of God take material objects the Lord’s Supper and with Word proclaimed and preached and the Spirit invoked, sing, move, wash, and eat in multiple ways so that love abounds, truth is spoken, and grace flows. to form us into God’s own people. From Invitation to Christ: A Guide to Sacramental Practices, 2006 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), on behalf of the Office of Theology and Worship.
The early church, following Jesus, took three primary elements of life —water, bread, and wine— to become basic symbols of offering life to God as Jesus had offered his life.
Washed with the water of baptism… we receive new life in Christ and present our bodies as living sacrifices to God.
Eating bread and drinking wine… we receive the sustaining presence of Christ, remember God’s covenant promise, and pledge our obedience anew.
Through the Sacraments, God seals believers in redemption, renews their identity as the people of God, and marks them for service…
from the Directory for Worship, W-1.3033
Summer 2008