Pastor's Ponderings
Sunday, October 4, 2026, is World Wide Communion
Sunday. In the German Reformed tradition (New Goshenhoppen is part of this tradition historically), the congregation would either gather the Sunday or Wednesday before the Holy Communion service for a Preparatory Service, which was to prepare hearts and souls to receive the sacrament. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:28 – Let a person examine themselves before coming to the Lord’s Table.
You are invited to examine your heart as we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Table. Please ask the Lord to search your heart:
You are invited to examine your heart as we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Table. Please ask the Lord to search your heart:
1. Pride: Do I crave recognition, praise, control, or being thought highly of?
2. Anger: Am I easily irritated, defensive, resentful, harsh, or unwilling to forgive?
3. Self-will: Am I stubborn, unteachable, argumentative, or unwilling to be corrected?
4. Fear: Am I more concerned with pleasing people than faithfully obeying God?
5. Envy: Do I resent another person’s success, gifts, attention, or opportunities?
6. Dishonesty: Do I hide my faults, bend the truth, exaggerate, or try to appear better than I am?
7. Unbelief: Am I ruled by worry, discouragement, complaining, or distrust of God’s providence?
8. Selfishness: Am I primarily seeking my own comfort, ease, money, preferences, or desires?
9. Spiritual coldness: Have I grown indifferent toward God, God’s Word, prayer, worship, or the needs of others?
Search me, O God, and know my heart … and see if there be any grievous way in me. — Psalm 139:23–24. The goal is not to stare endlessly at our sin. The goal is to see our need and come to Christ. The Table is not for perfect Christians, but for repentant sinners who are resting in a perfect Savior.
Welcome to the Lord’s Table! +PD