20 East – The Eucharist
Phil & Sharen Detlefs – Donors
IHS is a Christogram – a combination of letters that represent the holy name “Jesus.” Early scribes would abbreviate the sacred names of Jesus by using the first two letters of the name, or the first and last letters, with a line over the letters. For example, the Greek letters Chi Rho (which looks like our English X and P) was an abbreviation for the name “Christ.” Likewise, I (iota) and H (eta) are the first two Greek letters for “Jesus.” Sometime in the second century, the third letter, S (sigma), was added, thereby rendering IHS. These Christograms, such as XP or IHS, served as secret codes, whereby inscribed on a tomb, they indicated a deceased Christian, or on a doorpost, a Christian home. As Latin became predominate, the inscription came to stand for Jesus Savior of Humankind. This is Iesus (Jesus) Hominum (of humankind) Salvator (Savior). In Protestant vernacular of the present day, it reminds us to remain, “In His Service.”
Disciples’ observance of the Lord’s Supper echoes the Passover feast, when Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the living Christ is met and received in the sharing of the bread and the cup, representative of the body and blood of Jesus. The presence of the living Lord is affirmed and he is proclaimed to be the dominant power in our lives.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. —2 Peter 3:18