And he said to them,
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
"Do this in remembrance of me."
(Luke 22:14-15, 19)
I come not because duty demands it but because love compels me
I come not because of any merit of my own, for I know the condition of my heart
I have fallen short -- we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
I come because the Lord Jesus invites me to come, it is His table
I come because He asks me to do this in remembrance of Him
I come because at the table I am reminded of His great love
My heart becomes soft; in humility and worship I am drawn to Him
I come to remind myself a price was paid on my behalf
I come because here I meet the One who gave His life for me
I come because here I have the opportunity to be honest
To confess my failures and find grace
I come because when I acknowledge my sin and seek His forgiveness
He is faithful and just and will forgive me and cleanse me
I come to encounter again the power of the Cross
I come to experience again the wonder of His love
I come because at the table I hear Him speak reassuring words
Words that remind me I am loved by God; words my heart longs to hear
I come to find rest; to find release and renewal of heart and soul
I come to find strength and courage; to rekindle my faith and hope
I come with my fears and doubts and the struggles of my heart
And here I find peace and comfort; encouragement to stay on the journey
I come not alone, but in community with you, my friends at Valley
So as we come, I invite you to look again on the cross of Christ
And in wonder and awe drawn near
I come because I rise from this place with courage and power to live for Him who died for me
He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)