Under the leadership of Rev. Judge W. Otis Higgs, Jr., the Love Feast was held for the first time at Collins under his leadership during a Stewardess program in April of 2010. Rev. William Smith conducted the handling of the feast. It was wonderful and uplifting. The bread smelled great, but it is not eaten--just shared. The feast represents Jesus' feeding of thousands with small amounts of food. Let His word be a lamp unto our feet.
|
Love Feasts
According to the Book of Discipline of the CME church, Love feasts shall be held quarterly or at such other times as the Preacher in Charge may consider expedient, with closed doors, to which besides Church members, other serious persons may be admitted by the Pastor.
An Order of Service for Love Feast
1. Short devotional service.
2. A brief explanation of love feast--its purpose and objectives.
3. Short sermon by Pastor or someone designated by him.
4. After the message, the stewardesses come to the altar to pass the water in communion glasses which have been filled before the service and properly covered. The Pastor drinks the water first and then serves any other Ministers present. Then the water is passed to every one. They drink it; the glasses are then gathered and returned to the table.
5. Plain loaf bread which the Pastor breaks up into reasonably small pieces is then passed to each one. They take a reasonable amount into their left hand, then under direction of the Pastor, the members pass and shake hands with their fellow members. Before they shake hands each person takes a small part of the bread out of the left hand with the right hand and puts this morsel in the left hand of a brother or sister. As they shake hands, some such salutation as, "May God bless you", "Peace be unto you", "I greet you in the name of Jesus", "Let us rejoice in the God of our salvation", etc., may be used.
6. After breaking of bread and the following of handshaking, each one returns to his or her place. Then short testimonies follow and singing of hymns.
7. This should be followed by a financial report from class leaders or the reports of any other money that may have been brought to the meeting.
8. Closing remarks. Doxology.
9. Benediction: And now may the blessings of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and abide with you now and ever more. Amen.
|
|