1. Advent 2010 A time of reflective and repentant preparation for the season of Christmas. Focus is on the first and second comings (“advents”) of the Son of God. Colors are royal, and light increases throughout Advent.

2. Catechesis Four Fixtures of The Faith 1. Apostles’ Creed 2. Lord’s Prayer 3. Ten Commandments 4. Sacraments

3. What is a Sacrament? “a visible means of grace” Eastern Orthodox – 7 “mysteries” Eastern Orthodox – 7 “mysteries” Roman Catholic – 7 sacraments Roman Catholic – 7 sacraments Protestant – 2 sacraments Protestant – 2 sacraments Real presence? Or mere symbol?

4. Two Primary Sacraments Baptism – initiation Communion – participation 1. “Breaking of the Bread” 2. “Lord’s Supper” 3. “Communion” 4. “Eucharist”

5. 1. “Breaking of the Bread” (Luke 24) Women met by an angel at Jesus’ empty tomb: “He is risen, just as He said!” (vv. 1- 12) Women met by an angel at Jesus’ empty tomb: “He is risen, just as He said!” (vv. 1- 12) Two disciples walking towards Emmaus when Jesus joins them, though they don’t recognize him (vv. 13-35) Two disciples walking towards Emmaus when Jesus joins them, though they don’t recognize him (vv. 13-35)

6. 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

7. The Emmaus Road account is often read as a model for Christian worship. It describes an encounter of believers with Christ, first through the Word, then through the Sacrament.

8. 9 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

9. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Compare with the Last Supper account in Luke 22:19: And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

10. Compare also with Acts 2: 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer... They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God

11. Luke 24 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

12. 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together... 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

13. Biblical corporate worship is a retelling of the saving deeds of God. Biblical corporate worship is a retelling of the saving deeds of God. This retelling is both in word and in symbol (e.g., Passover). When we “break bread” together, we visibly retell the story of Emmaus, and thereby participate in (“remember”) that story.

14. The “breaking of the bread” thus highlights the Sacrament as an encounter with the resurrected Christ. The “breaking of the bread” thus highlights the Sacrament as an encounter with the resurrected Christ. This is not something we earn or do, but a gracious act of the Father, to meet us in Christ, through the Spirit, in the visible act of breaking bread.

15. Real presence? Real presence? Or mere symbol? Three key doctrines in the Apostles’ Creed guard against spirit-matter dualism, and reinforce God’s “real presence” in created matter.

16. Creation: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth” Incarnation: “(Jesus) was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary” Resurrection: “I believe in the resurrection of the body”

17. How can we respond to God’s gift to us in the “breaking of the bread?” Book of Common Prayer “These are the Gifts of God for the People of God... Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.”

18. The Apostles’ Creed