How important is communion?

[Briseis]

I dont participate in communion because I'm scared of people. I cant imagine going into a crowded room alone and waiting for someone to approach me. Approaching someone myself is even worse. Then, my mother told me that I shouldnt drink the juice or eat the bread if I didnt take part in the foot washing, I dont know if that is correct but children tend to believe their parents.

So, how bad is this?

 

[TrustAndObey]

Foot washing is a VERY humbling experience, and it does make me a little nervous every time. I always choose someone I know really well in my church....but in reality, we should pick someone that we have wronged or that we have had bad feelings for.

My church usually separates the women and the men, and it's usually my husband's feet that I should be washing. Once a year they do group together as a whole and I snag my husband right away.

I've never had any bad feelings against anyone in my church, but within family you usually find someone you have wronged in some way or have had bad feelings for at some point.

Are you close to anyone in your church? If so, you could start with someone you're really comfortable with (it's still humbling no matter who you pick) and then reach out to someone else later.

I'm planning on being a nurse so I have to get used to touching people I don't know, but I do know that it can be uncomfortable.

It's an exercise in humility, and to me, that really is important for all of us. It was Christ's example, and I'm very disheartened that most other churches do not do it.

I never partook in communion outside of the Adventist church, and I can remember my dad telling me "you are too young", or "you have to be ABSOLUTELY sure" and he scared me a little with all of that (we were Baptist then). And of course the big threat in that church is hellfire and damnation so that's apparently the consequence of not being ABSOLUTELY sure there.

I just recommend humbling yourself in prayer over it and asking the Lord who you may have wronged, and He will give you strength to approach that person and ask "may I wash your feet?"

I'm 38-years-old and I cry like a small child every single time I take communion. It's very hard for me to accept that Jesus died for MY sins, and I cannot ever be grateful enough, in my opinion, for that sacrifice....and horribly ashamed at the same time.

It's a great experience, and one you won't forget. Every time it feels like the first time.

I hope that helped.

 

[Briseis]

Well, I used to always do it with my mother, but we dont go to the same church anymore, so I have stopped doing it since then. I dont know anyone in my church, another consequence of being scared of ppl, so there is no one I have wronged. And there are no young ppl either. The next youngest person is probably about 35. I wouldnt even know where to start. That is why I said I would have to just go and wait for someone to ask me, and I am pretty scared that it will be an odd number and I will be left out.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Well, I used to always do it with my mother, but we dont go to the same church anymore, so I have stopped doing it since then. I dont know anyone in my church, another consequence of being scared of ppl, so there is no one I have wronged. And there are no young ppl either. The next youngest person is probably about 35. I wouldnt even know where to start. That is why I said I would have to just go and wait for someone to ask me, and I am pretty scared that it will be an odd number and I will be left out.

I can almost guarantee that you won't be left out. And if you appear nervous about the whole thing, I know an older lady will pick up on that and grab you over to be involved.

Just pray about it. And in the future, you'll be able to "spot" the people that are nervous about it too, so maybe God has laid this on you for a reason?

We're always the most afraid of the unknown. When you do it even once, it isn't unknown anymore.

I'll send up some prayers for you too. It is something I would hate for you to miss!

 

[Briseis]

Thanx.

 

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

Well, I used to always do it with my mother, but we dont go to the same church anymore, so I have stopped doing it since then. I dont know anyone in my church, another consequence of being scared of ppl, so there is no one I have wronged. And there are no young ppl either. The next youngest person is probably about 35. I wouldnt even know where to start. That is why I said I would have to just go and wait for someone to ask me, and I am pretty scared that it will be an odd number and I will be left out.

Hi there!

I think we're in a very similar position. For me, I've never been to communion in my life. Untill last spring I had not gone to church at all, and I've managed to miss every communion since I 'did' start going (accidentally, by the way).

I'm rather nervous about it too..for me I'm not sure what to expect, I guess. I'm comfortable with a few of the people there, but this foot washing thing..I don't know. I go alone, also..and there are no youth at mine either. All of the people my age go to the bigger church that's associated with the SDA high school..but is too far away for me.

Too bad we couldn't go together. At least we'd be able to support eachother through it.

Regardless, though..I'm sure it'll go fine. Just have faith and do it for GOD. He will help you through it, as I'm sure He will me. Just as I'm going to have to rely heavily on Him for courage when I'm baptised eventually. I have issues with people touching me in water. *lol*

Blessings and Love,
Sarah

 

[Briseis]

I get it. I think I know where you live. There are no youth at my church cuz they all go to the church at the University. I think you now know where I live.

 

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

I get it. I think I know where you live. There are no youth at my church cuz they all go to the church at the University. I think you now know where I live.

Well, isn't this neat? *lol* There's only one Adventist University that I can think of, and it's the one I might be attending (hopefully) in a year or so, so yes..I think I might know where you live.

It's frustrating when the youth are all going to another church, isn't it? I don't mind adults and get along quite nicely with them, but it'd be nice to see a few more around my age. At least I know I'm not alone with this now.

 

[honorthesabbath]

As many times as I have taken Communion and footwashing, I am still bothered by both. And for the same reason. Shyness. Even though I am a massage therapist and touch strangers everyday-it's an entirely difference senerio.

Not only that--but I have nothing against anyone in our church. I love them all and had no 'run-ins' with any of them. Well excpt one man who wanted to bring 'plays and skits' into the Sabbath school program and I stood on the SOP writings that says this is a major no-no. He got MAD at ME and called me to 'set me straight'. When it didn't work--he literaly left our church. Mind you--he was the SABBATAH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT". And because lowly me showed him that this was frowned on by EGW--he pouted and ran. But I had no animosity towards him over it. We were just two ppl disagreeing on somethings.

Here's a side-note though-lol. I saw him on TV a few weeks ago being interviewed by a local station. He had a lunch wagon set up to feed the WalMart associates for the annual WalMart stock holders meeting and guess what he was selling?

PORK SAUSAGES!!!!!!!!!!! I am not kidding you--pork hotdogs and Polish Sausages!

Oh well--didn't mean to get off topic. But I understand you guys shyness when it comes to footwashing.
I'm not 'shy' about communion though--but like T&O said
I'm kind of leary that I might be partaking wrongfully. I always feel so guilty about 'something'--lol.

I guess I'm so acutely aware of my sinful self--that I feel totally unworthy to take this ordinance.