A few times each year we set aside a few minutes during our worship experience to celebrate communion together. Children will join their parents for this experience. Each station has something to read, something to look at, and something to do. We pray this will be meaningful for you and also give you something to talk about at home with your children.
Here are some things to remember.
1) There are five stations. Visit the stations in any order. This will help the flow of the room and keep you from having to wait longer than necessary.
2) Children are invited to participate with you at all of the stations. When it comes time to drink the fruit of the vine and eat the bread, we ask that only those who have submitted their lives to the care and control of Christ Jesus participate in that step. There is still plenty to read and view at that station. But... for young children who do not yet have the understanding of their sin and Christ's sacrifice for it... we have provided a snack bag. It will allow your child to participate (without discouraging them) and encourage them to get to know this Jesus who is God, the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Before you, a canvas displays words—jealousy, lying, shame, regret, lust, greed, bitterness—each one a shadow we all wrestle with. Their weight is clear, heavy on the heart.
Now, lift the red plexiglass, and look again. The words vanish, turned to white, obscured by the crimson hue. This represents the blood of Jesus, covering every sin, washing them away in a grace that knows no bounds.
Next, consider the cross. Jesus died for it all, for every sin, even the ones we hide deepest. His blood covers every imperfection, every broken part of us.
What sin weighs on your heart today? When you read the words on the canvas, what stirs inside you? Take the slip of paper and write down what comes to mind. This is personal, dig deep and be honest with yourself. Now lay the slip of paper face down on the cross. Take the hammer and nail, and with each strike, know that Jesus already died for this sin. His blood covers it, completely. Leave it with Him. He offers all-inclusive forgiveness to those who follow Him, embracing every broken piece of who we are.
On the table before you, ribbons of many colors lay, each one a symbol of the emotions we carry.
- Black for grief, the weight of sorrow.
- Red for anger, the flame of frustration.
- Yellow for joy, a spark of happiness.
- Blue for peace, calm after the storm.
- Pink for love, soft and warm, binding us together.
- White for the reminder that Jesus is the Boss of our lives, guiding us through it all.
Choose the ribbons that reflect where you are today. Are you grieving, lost in despair or anger? Pick up the ribbon that best defines your dark emotion.
Then, select a ribbon of light—the colors of joy, peace, and love—symbols of the promises Jesus offers us.
And if you’ve ever made Jesus the boss of your life, whether it was today or years ago, add a white ribbon, a sign of surrender and grace.
Now, take all the ribbons you’ve chosen and tie them to the wire cross. There's room for more than one person to tie at the same time. As you do, know that even the darkest threads in life are overcome by the light. The “ugly” is made beautiful through Christ’s love.
When all of our ribbons come together, they form a tapestry of God’s grace—a reminder that His love is All-Inclusive, making all things beautiful in His time.
On the table, bowls of shattered glass lie, each fragment a symbol of the brokenness within us. We are all fractured in some way, each piece a testament to our humanity.
Beside them, a cross stands—silent, yet powerful. The Bible tells us that Jesus' body was broken for us, a sacrifice of love.
Pause for a moment, and consider the weight of that truth. Take a broken piece of glass and gently place it on the cross using the glue provided. As each fragment is added, the brokenness begins to take shape, forming a mosaic—beautiful in its imperfection.
For in our brokenness, through the cross, there is redemption, and together He creates something whole and beautiful.
We’ve spoken often in this series of the All-Inclusive grace that Jesus extends to us, a grace that embraces all believers, without exception. As a family in Christ, we are called to lift each other up, to share in both joys and burdens. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer one another is the simple act of prayer.
Take a slip of paper, and write down your prayer needs. Let your heart speak, for we are not alone in this journey. Now, let us bind these prayers together—one by one—forming a chain of hope and support.
We are in this together, united in faith, bound together in His love.
As we’ve journeyed through the All-Inclusive series you've seen these cut-out words "All Inclusive" along the way.
Look into the mirror.
Notice how the cut-out words “All Inclusive” are reversed, yet you can read them perfectly. "All Inclusive" is in both directions.
Now notice the words printed on the piece of paper. You can read them but they show nothing in the mirror. "All Inclusive" is in one direction.
Many think that God, through Jesus Christ, offers us his All Inclusive grace but it requires nothing of us. But that is wrong. That is not what His grace offers. His All Inclusive Grace doesn't move in one direction, simply toward us, it moves in two.
His All Inclusive grace moves in two directions. For you it reads... "His All Inclusive grace covers, atones for, and forgives all my life, all my sin."
And for you to receive it you are saying to Him, reflecting back to Him, "Jesus, you now have, own, and control my All Inclusive life. Every part of me is yours. You are the boss of all of me."
As you partake in the Lord's Supper (communion) today, reflect on the boundless grace Jesus offers through His broken body. He gave you his all; it was an All Inclusive act. Think of the love poured out on the cross, for our sins, for all; that too was an All Inclusive act.
Embrace, forever, the All-Inclusive grace He extends to us as believers. It is grace that we can only receive from Him. But to receive it you must give Him all of you. We can accept His grace only when we offer Him complete and total control of our lives. Grace moves in two directions.
Luke 22 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Matthew 26 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
If you have submitted your life to the care and control of Jesus... Drink the juice. Remember His blood poured out for you.
If you have submitted your life to the care and control of Jesus... Eat the bread. Remember His body was broken and sacrificed for you.
