Remembering Jesus | Communion Celebrations

Communion and the Lord's Supper: Unity Across Denominational Lines

Understanding Church Differences in Point Roberts, Washington & Cross-Border Communities

The Questions Many Have About Communion Practices

When visiting a new church, one question that often creates anxiety is: How do they handle communion? Will they serve it every week? Who's allowed to participate? What if my denomination does it differently? At Eaglebrook Chapel, we've developed an approach to the Lord's Supper that honors the sacred nature of this ordinance while welcoming all Christian believers across denominational lines to share in this profound expression of unity in Christ.

Our Heart: Sacred Reverence with Denominational Welcome

We believe communion is one of the most sacred moments in Christian worship—a time when believers from all backgrounds can unite around the cross of Christ. While we take consecration and reconciliation with God through Christ very seriously, our interdenominational focus means we joyfully welcome all Christian believers to participate, regardless of their denominational background or specific communion traditions.

"The Lord's table is where denominational differences fade away and we remember we are all one body in Christ Jesus."

Biblical Foundation: Sacred Unity in Christ's Body

Christ's Institution of Communion

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body. And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you; For this is My blood of the [new] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28 (AMPC)

Paul's Instructions for Sacred Observance

"For I received from the Lord Himself that which I passed on to you [it was given to me personally], that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was treacherously delivered up and while His betrayal was in progress took bread, And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance. Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying, This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance." 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (AMPC)

"Communion isn't just religious ritual—it's intimate fellowship with Jesus and His body. Every time we partake, we're declaring our unity with Christ and with each other."

Our Approach: Sacred Consecration with Denominational Inclusivity

Why We Don't Serve Communion Every Service

While some traditions serve communion weekly and others monthly or quarterly, we've chosen a frequent but not automatic approach because:

• Maintains sacred significance rather than routine habit
• Allows time for proper preparation and heart examination
• Creates anticipation for these special gatherings
• Permits extended time for meaningful ministry during communion
• Respects various denominational traditions about frequency

Missionary T.L. Osborn: "The power of communion isn't in its frequency but in the heart condition of those who partake. Quality of reverence matters more than quantity of observance."

Sacred Consecration: Why Only Christian Believers

We practice closed communion to non-believers for biblical reasons:

"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (AMPC)

Biblical Reasons for Believer-Only Participation: ✓ Requires understanding of Christ's sacrifice and personal relationship with Him ✓ Involves spiritual discernment of the Lord's body that comes through salvation ✓ Represents covenant relationship that begins with faith in Christ ✓ Protects non-believers from spiritual judgment through unworthy participation ✓ Maintains sacred meaning as specifically Christian ordinance

 "Communion is the family meal of believers. Just as you wouldn't invite strangers to participate in intimate family traditions, communion is for those who belong to God's family through faith in Christ." Rick Renner

Denominational Inclusivity: Welcoming All Christian Traditions

While we limit participation to believers, we joyfully welcome Christians from all denominational backgrounds:

Catholic and Orthodox Believers:

• Honored for their reverence toward the Eucharist
• Welcomed to participate in our Protestant observance
• Respected for their tradition while sharing our approach

Protestant Denominational Varieties:

• Baptist believers used to quarterly observance
• Methodist traditions of monthly communion
• Presbyterian reformed communion practices
• Lutheran sacramental understanding
• Anglican liturgical communion traditions
• Pentecostal spirit-led communion experiences

"At the Lord's table, we're not Baptists or Methodists or Pentecostals—we're Christians remembering Jesus together."

What Makes Our Communion "Meaningful and Loving"

Extended Time for Ministry

Our communion services typically include:

• Preparation through worship that focuses hearts on Christ
• Biblical teaching about the significance of communion
• Time for personal examination and prayer
• Opportunity for confession and reconciliation
• Ministry to individuals who need prayer or healing
• Corporate blessing over the elements and congregation

Personal and Corporate Elements

Individual Reflection:

• Heart examination according to 1 Corinthians 11:28
• Personal confession and repentance
• Gratitude expression for Christ's sacrifice
• Renewal of commitment to follow Jesus

Corporate Unity:

• Shared confession of faith in Christ
• United prayer over bread and cup
• Collective thanksgiving for salvation
• Visible demonstration of church unity across denominational lines

"Communion should be both deeply personal and powerfully corporate. We meet Jesus individually and celebrate Him together."

Spirit-Led Ministry During Communion

Because of our spirit-filled approach, our communion times often include:

• Prophetic words of encouragement during partaking
• Healing prayer for those who request it
• Worship in the Spirit as people encounter Jesus
• Words of knowledge about God's heart for specific needs
• Corporate intercession flowing from unity in Christ

"When believers gather around the Lord's table in unity and spiritual sensitivity, the Holy Spirit often moves powerfully to heal, encourage, and strengthen."

Our International Community and Communion

Cross-Border Unity in Christ

Our unique position at the US-Canada border creates beautiful opportunities during communion:

Canadian Church Traditions:

• United Church open communion practices
• Anglican liturgical communion reverence
• Catholic understanding of Eucharistic significance
• Canadian Baptist quarterly communion traditions

American Church Traditions:

• Southern Baptist closed communion practices
• Methodist open table traditions
• Presbyterian reformed communion theology
• Pentecostal spirit-led communion experiences

United at the Cross: During communion, our international congregation demonstrates that:

• National boundaries fade at the Lord's table
• Cultural differences unite around Christ's sacrifice
• Denominational distinctions become secondary to salvation
• Cross-border fellowship reflects heaven's unity

"When Christians from different nations and traditions share communion together, it's a preview of the wedding supper of the Lamb."

Prayer for Both Nations During Communion

Our communion services often include intercessory prayer for:

• Revival in Canada and spiritual awakening
• Healing for America and return to righteousness
• Peace between nations and cooperation in gospel work
• Church unity across denominational and national lines

Practical Questions About Our Communion Practice

"How often do you serve communion?"

We serve communion approximately once monthly, though this may vary based on:

• Holy Spirit leading during services
• Special occasions like Easter, Christmas, or revival meetings
• Corporate needs for healing, unity, or consecration
• Guest ministry that emphasizes communion themes

"What if I'm from a different denominational tradition?"

All Christian believers are welcome! Whether you're accustomed to:

• Weekly communion (Episcopal, Catholic)
• Monthly observance (Methodist, Presbyterian)
• Quarterly celebration (many Baptist churches)
• Spontaneous communion (some Pentecostal traditions)

We honor your background while sharing our approach with love and respect.

"What if my spouse/family member isn't a believer?"

Non-Christian family members are:

• Warmly welcomed to observe and learn
• Respectfully excluded from partaking for their spiritual protection
• Invited to hear the gospel message during communion teaching
• Encouraged to ask questions about becoming a Christian
• Never made to feel unwelcome for not participating

"Excluding non-believers from communion isn't rejection—it's protection. We want them to understand salvation before participating in its celebration."

"What if I've sinned since my last communion?"

This is exactly why we take confession seriously! Our communion preparation includes:

• Time for personal examination according to Scripture
• Opportunity for confession and repentance
• Assurance of forgiveness through Christ's blood
• Cleansing and restoration before partaking
• Fresh start in relationship with God

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (AMPC)

"Can children participate?"

We welcome believer children who:

• Understand what communion represents
• Have accepted Jesus as their Savior
• Can discern the significance of Christ's body and blood
• Want to participate in this sacred ordinance

Parents are encouraged to prepare their children through teaching about salvation and communion's meaning.

Different Denominational Approaches We Honor

Communion Theology Spectrum

More Sacramental Traditions:

• Catholic/Orthodox: Transubstantiation - bread and wine become actual body and blood
• Lutheran: Consubstantiation - Christ present "in, with, and under" elements
• Anglican: Real presence - Christ spiritually present in elements

More Memorial Traditions:

• Baptist: Symbolic remembrance - elements represent Christ's sacrifice
• Presbyterian: Spiritual feeding - believers spiritually nourished through faith
• Pentecostal: Covenant renewal - emphasis on relationship and healing

Our Approach at Eaglebrook Chapel: We emphasize spiritual reality without requiring specific theological interpretation:

• Christ is present when believers gather in His name
• Elements are sacred because of what they represent
• Blessing flows through faith and reverence
• Unity matters more than interpretive uniformity

Dream Team Insight - Gloria Copeland: "The power of communion isn't in our theological understanding but in our heart connection with Jesus and each other."

The Beauty of Interdenominational Communion

What Visitors Experience

During our communion services, you'll witness:

• Baptist reverence combined with Pentecostal expectancy
• Methodist warmth blended with Presbyterian order
• Catholic devotion merged with Protestant freedom
• Anglican liturgy enhanced by Charismatic spontaneity
• International unity transcending denominational boundaries

When believers from different traditions share communion together, it demonstrates the power of Christ's blood to unite what human tradition has divided."

Preparation for Communion at Eaglebrook Chapel

Heart Preparation We Encourage

Before participating in communion: ✓ Examine your heart for unforgiveness, sin, or spiritual issues ✓ Confess any sin to God and receive His forgiveness ✓ Reconcile relationships where possible and appropriate ✓ Thank God for Christ's sacrifice and your salvation ✓ Approach with reverence and expectant faith

What to Expect During Our Communion Service

Service Flow:

1. Worship preparation focusing on Christ's sacrifice
2. Biblical teaching about communion's significance
3. Prayer of consecration over bread and cup
4. Distribution of elements with time for personal prayer
5. Corporate thanksgiving and blessing
6. Ministry time for those seeking prayer
7. Closing worship celebrating our unity in Christ

Special Elements:

• International prayer for both Canada and United States
• Denominational unity celebration
• Healing ministry available during partaking
• Prophetic encouragement as Holy Spirit leads
• Extended worship allowing deep encounter with Jesus

Experience Sacred Unity at Eaglebrook Chapel

Why Our Communion Is Special

• Biblically grounded in reverence and significance
• Denominationally inclusive for all Christian believers
• Spiritually meaningful with room for Holy Spirit ministry
• Internationally diverse reflecting our border community
• Relationally warm creating deep fellowship bonds

Perfect For:

• Traditional church members seeking deeper spiritual experience
• Charismatic believers wanting biblical order and reverence
• International families from diverse denominational backgrounds
• New believers learning about Christian ordinances
• Anyone desiring meaningful encounter with Jesus

Join Us for Communion

Located in Point Roberts, Washington, we're easily accessible for communion services from:

• Canada: Tsawwassen, Ladner, Richmond, White Rock, Delta, Surrey, Abbotsford
• Washington: Blaine, Lynden, Sumas, Ferndale, Bellingham, Whatcom County

Experience sacred communion that honors Christ's sacrifice while welcoming believers from all denominational traditions in an atmosphere of love, reverence, and spiritual unity.

Eaglebrook Chapel: Where the Lord's table unites hearts across denominational lines

Contact Information:

• Location: Point Roberts, Washington (US-Canada Border)
• Communion Approach: Sacred, inclusive, spirit-filled
• Community: International and interdenominational