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:
- 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
November Theme: Diligence
Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 3:7–10
Key Point: A life of diligence and generosity is as a natural consequence of faith in Christ.
Invitation: Rejoice that Christ transforms our desires. May we desire to help and contribute to those who labor for the gospel among us as a privilege and joy.
Sample Script (time: 2 minutes, not including giving instructions)
The apostle Paul was bold and practical when he wrote to the church in Thessalonica:
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:7–10 NIV
Paul is straightforward: if a person doesn’t work then neither should they eat. On the front, end this sounds hard and insensitive, and it even feels like Paul is teaching a works-based message.
Paul’s message is not about earning salvation through works. To the contrary, it’s about living a life of diligence and generosity as a natural consequence of faith in Christ. Christ in us wakes us up! If we are idlers, we turn around and become productive members of the community. If we are disruptors, we turn around and become peacemakers. If we are busybodies, we turn around and become our brother’s and sister’s keeper.
Life in Christ is transformative, and it is in and through him that we are new creations. The desire to help and contribute to those who labor for the gospel among us is not seen as a burden. Instead, it is a privilege and joy.
Communion
November Theme: Stand firm and hold fast to Jesus.
Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15
Key Point: The sacrament of communion reminds us we are included in what Jesus is doing, and in particular, in the communion shared by Father, Son and Spirit.
Invitation: May you receive the bread as an acknowledgement that you and others are part of the Body of Christ. May you receive the cup as an acknowledgement that you and others are forgiven and accepted by Father, Son, and Spirit.
Sample Script (time: 2 minutes, not including giving instructions)
The blessing of participating in communion is both individual and collective. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15, we learn that we, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, are the first fruits of God’s plan of redemption and reconciliation. When we receive the bread, we are reminded that we are part of the Body of Christ.
But it goes beyond this powerful individual reminder. We are also reminded that those around us are also part of the same body. We are one in him and sharing the bread reminds us that he is the Bread of Life. When we partake of this bread, we are reminded that all are included in the glorious work of the gospel. This encourages us to stand firm and hold fast, whether it’s standing as an individual, or standing with others.
The same is true when we receive the cup. Not only are we reminded that the blood of Jesus has completely forgiven us and washed away our sins (for which we thank God continually), but we are also reminded that the blood of Christ has also completely forgiven and washed away the sins of others — even those with whom we might not get along. This encourages us to look at each other differently — we belong to Christ and therefore, belong to one another. Because we receive the same gifts, and have the same calling, we are also called to encourage each other to stand firm and hold fast to the truth of the good news of the gospel.
Prayer.
