Maundy Thursday Virtual Communion Service

By the Rev. Larry Ruby

If you wish to participate in virtual communion, we’d suggest you have some bread and grape juice (or fruit beverage or water or other beverage) with you as you watch.

You may watch this video any time. There will be a “Watch Party” on the Jefferson UPC Facebook page tonight. Please try to log after 7:15 pm for the slide show “prelude.” This will give people a chance to join and to prepare for the service.

Dear Jefferson Members and Friends,

Let me invite you to a special service of communion and a time of reflection this Thursday, April 9, in observance of Maundy Thursday. I know it isn’t the same when we can’t gather together for some delicious soup and bread, but we can share together in Christ’s presence as we break the bread and drink the cup as a community of faith.

The meditation and communion service will be posted on the web page, distributed by email, and as a “watch party” on Facebook. You may watch at your leisure, but if possible, let’s try to watch it together at 7:30 on Thursday evening.

The extraordinary circumstances of the corona virus crisis gives us an opportunity to be creative in the way we “gather together” as the Body of Christ. One of those ways is by offering “Virtual” communion. Although we all will be present at our homes we can still gather together in Spirit and partake of the elements for the Lord’s Supper.

Ideally, if you have bread and grape juice, simply prepare the broken bread and share the cup by intinction, (dipping the bread in the cup) or if you prefer, take the bread individually and use individual cups for the juice or wine. If you don’t have grape juice or wine, please feel free to substitute another juice or beverage. We are trusting that the presence or absence of juice or wine has no effect on the presence of Christ among us, uniting us as One, even though we are separated physically.

May the Lord continue to bless you, keep you safe and healthy as we continue our journey through Holy Week and look forward to a glorious Easter morning!

Be blessed!

Pastor Larry