In January we introduced a new resource to help you prepare for the time of giving and taking communion in your Hope Avenue. These are meaningful formational practices that we can plan with care and intentionality.
How to Use This Resource
An outline is provided for you to use as a guide, followed by a sample script. Both the offering moment and communion can be presented as a short reflection before the congregation participates. Here’s how to use it effectively:
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- Scripture Reflection: Include the relevant scripture to root the offering and communion in biblical teaching.
- Key Point and Invitation: Briefly highlight the theme’s key point and offer an invitation that connects the theme to the practice.
- Prayer: Include a short prayer that aligns with the theme. Invite God to bless the gifts and the givers. Ask God to bless the bread and the wine and the partakers.
- Logistics: Explain the process; this helps everyone know how they can participate. For giving, indicate whether baskets will be passed, if there are designated offering boxes, or if digital options like text-to-give or web giving are available. Clearly explain how the communion elements will be shared and that participation is voluntary.
- Encouragement: For the giving moment, invite congregants to reflect on their role in supporting the church’s mission, reminding them that their gifts impact both local and global ministry. For communion, encourage congregants to express gratitude for Jesus’ love poured out for us and the unity present in the body of Christ.
For more information, see Church Hack: Offering and Church Hack: Communion.
Offering
April Theme: The Invitation to Come
Scripture Focus: Revelation 22:16–17
Key Point: In Revelation, the Spirit and the church invite all to come and receive the living water of Christ. This offering moment reminds us that we have freely received the gift of life in Jesus, and our response is to worship and invite others into this life. Our giving supports the church’s mission of extending this invitation to all.
Invitation: Today, as we offer our gifts, let’s remember that we are supporting the church’s invitation for others to “come and receive” the love and life of Christ.
Sample Script (time: 2 minutes, not including giving instructions)
Revelation is a tricky book to understand with its vivid imagery. Many see the book as a chronicle for the end time, and yet it is a book whose central figure is the Lamb of God, Jesus. And it is a book that invites all people to be in relationship with Jesus and to worship him, the Lamb who sits upon the throne.
In the benediction of Revelation, we are told:
“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Revelation 22:16–17 NRSVA
The Holy Spirit bids come. The Bride, the Church bids come. Who is being summoned? All of humanity. Jesus said that when he was raised up, he would draw all people to himself.
What do those who come receive? The gift of living water — the same ever flowing water offered to the Samaritan woman at the well. This is the very presence of Jesus indwelling the believer — life that never runs out.
Because we have received Jesus, our only reasonable response is worship. In fact, the crown of life we receive in him will be cast down before him with our knees bent. When we gather to worship every Sunday, we rehearse this submission and gratitude as we present our weekly offerings.
Communion
March Theme: Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ
Scripture Focus: Revelation 1:4–5
Key Point: When we come to the table, we remember Christ. He is the Alpha and Omega, the worthy One who gave his life for us and now dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. His sacrifice and resurrection bring us life and reconciliation.
Invitation: Let this cup and this bread remind you that that Jesus loves you and has freed you from your sins by his blood.
Sample Script (time: 2.5 minutes, not including giving instructions)
One could almost call this Holy Month because of all the celebrations it contains: Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter Resurrection Sunday, and the beginning of the season of Easter. Our emotions have gone all over the place this month as we celebrate Jesus’ return to Jerusalem and shout “Hosanna” with the worshippers. We mourn with Jesus over Jerusalem and the lack of faith. We relish in the Last Supper, listening intently to Jesus’ new commandment and his prayer for his disciples (and us). We sweat in the Garden trying to imagine what Jesus went through as he prayed for another way — but submitted completely to the will of his Father. We cry because of his trial, torture, and execution. We are moved by his last statements on the cross. We grieve knowing the pain his death caused so many, and then we celebrate his resurrection.
And there is even more to celebrate — the truth that Jesus never left us. Jesus is in us through the Holy Spirit. He is the worthy One who eternally dwells in us and among us.
John wrote these words on the Isle of Patmos:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Revelation 1:4–5 NIV
John then reminds us that Jesus loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. He is the Alpha and the Omega, who is, who was, and who is to come. He is worthy of all praise. He is faithful, he promises to never leave or forsake us. He dwells in and among us. The bread reminds us that he is our life, and he has included us in his life. The cup reminds us we are forgiven and reconciled, and just as Jesus is alive, we too will be made alive.
