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The Lord's Table

The Lord's Table

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

At GCC we take very seriously the Lord’s command in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with regularity and reverence. 

With regularity: though there is no explicit command in this chapter to partake of the Table on a weekly kind of pattern, there is strong contextual evidence that leans this way, and that this ordinance is to be a consistent and central aspect to the gathering together of the Lord’s people for corporate worship. 

With reverence: the apostle Paul rebukes the Corinthian church in this chapter, explaining to them that their low view of the Table had occasioned the Lord’s severe discipline of the congregation, to the extent that some of them had even died. This is because to trivialize the covenantal sign is to trivialize the covenant, which is to trivialize the very person and promises of God. 

And so, the elders have implemented what has been traditionally through the ages labelled “fencing the Table.” Simply, this covenant meal is only for covenant members. To best ensure that only believers partake of the Table, the elders equest that those who have not spoken to an elder or been recognized through church membership let the elements (the bread and cup) pass.

If you are desiring to visit GCC and would like to join us in the Lord’s Table, please EMAIL US to set up a time before the service to talk with the elders. The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that the Lord’s Supper is a new covenant ordinance reserved for true believers. Because of Paul’s stern warnings that partaking of the Table in an unworthy manner brings God’s judgment, the pastors at GCC ask that prospective partakers meet with them prior to participating in this grace feast. When you meet with the pastors, they will ask you the following questions, which you should be prepared to answer.

1. Why are you desiring to partake of the Lord’s Table at GCC?

2. What is your understanding of the gospel?

3. What is your own conversion testimony?

4. Have you been baptized as a believer?

5. Are you currently a member in good standing in an evangelical church?

We trust that our motives in “fencing the Table” are pure, and that our desire is to praise our glorious Triune God, preserve the purity of the Feast for believers, and proclaim the saving gospel of Christ.

Pastors Ryan, Nathan, Charles and Cliff