(LaGrave CRC, Grand Rapids, MI)
Today we are happy to celebrate God?s grace in the lives of ____of our children. When they were baptized, God publicly declared that they are a part of His covenant family. Now they want to join that family at the Lord?s Table in Holy Communion.
Today they will today ?declare their faith? in Jesus Christ as their Savior, as a second step on their faith journey.
To the children:
We are so glad that you want to join God?s people in celebrating the Lord?s Supper. You learned about the meaning and importance of the Lord?s Supper in Children?s Worship and in a Table Fellowship class. You met with the elders, and today you will stand with your parents before God and his people. This is a happy occasion for all of us.
Will you please stand now (or come forward) to declare your faith.
I will ask you three questions and then ask each of you for your answer.
1. Do you believe that you are a member of God?s covenant family and that your baptism is a sign of your membership?
2. Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for you and is your Savior, and do you understand that the bread and wine of the Holy Supper are symbols of his body and blood?
3. Do you promise to live your life for Jesus Christ as best you can and to continue to learn more about him in Church School and by reading the Bible and personal devotions?
Question: ______________, what is your answer?
Answer: ?I do, God helping me.?
Welcome:
I now welcome you to the privilege of participating in Holy Communion. May God bless you as you join with his people when the sacrament is celebrated. It is our prayer that you will keep on growing in your love for the Lord Jesus Christ and one day stand again to take the third step in your faith journey, to profess your faith and assume all the responsibilities and privileges of membership in his church.
POLICY AND PROCEDURE LAGRAVE CRC
- The impetus to proceed with ?Table Fellowship? will come from the child/family, although the church will encourage such action.
- Those desiring to be admitted to ?Table Fellowship? are required to attend a class dealing with the meaning of the Lord?s Supper and the significance of expressing one?s faith publicly.
- Two elders will ?interview? the child and his/her parent(s) to assure themselves that faith and limited understanding of the Lord?s Supper is evident in the child.
- The child will be admitted to ?Table Fellowship? during a worship service. The parent(s) will stand with the child.
- During their senior year in high school, all those who have been accepted into ?Table Fellowship? but have not taken the next step of ?Profession of Faith? will be called or visited by a Pastor or Elder to encourage them to take the third step in their faith journey.
If you have any questions or comments about this matter please direct them to the Youth Pastor or Chairperson of the Youth Education Committee.
