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Do it yourself Memorial Script – How to celebrate with a group or by yourself

Find more  about the Memorial by clicking here:

Here is a script of a Memorial service that you can use for your Congregation orlittle group or even just yourself.

First ask everyone to “Please make sure that all cell phones are silent or turned off.”

Here is the text of the service and the timing for singing and passing out the emblems of the bread and cup:

We are gathered together as a family of Christ’s body members in thoughtful memory and reflection of Jesus’ life and sacrifice.

BEGIN OPENING HYMN HERE:  i.e. Hymns of Dawn  168  WHAT A SAVIOUR

HAVE AN OPENING PRAYER:

 

Read Theme scripture: (1 Cor. 5:7).  “Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us; therefore, let us keep the feast.”

The Passover was Israel’s most important and solemn annual event.   We recognize the antitype as “Christ our Passover Lamb slain for us”–“the Lamb of God.”    As the typical lamb was put to death on the fourteenth day of the first month, so Jesus, our Passover Lamb was put to death on the same day.  (Luke 22:7-8 NKJV)

 

TYPICAL JEWISH PASSOVER

In the Passover type, Israel feasted on the typical lamb.  In the reality, we feast on our antitypical Lamb, Jesus Christ.  At Passover, Jesus gave to His disciples  the symbols of His broken body and shed blood, saying: “THIS do in remembrance of me” hereafter, thinking of me as your Lamb.

Egypt pictured the world.  Each house of Israel, represented the household of faith, and each lamb, represented the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world, and the first-born in each family, represented the Christ, Head and Body, the New Creation or as Hebrews 11:23 says, “the Church of the First-born.”

The bitter herbs represented the trials and afflictions of this present time, which all the more serve to whet the appetite of the household of faith for the Lamb and the unleavened bread.

As each household was to eat with staff in hand and girded for a journey, it represented that the antitypical first-born and the household of faith WHO would thus partake of the Lamb during the night time of this Gospel age would be pilgrims and strangers in the world.  They would realize the bondage of sin and death, and want to be led by the Lord into freedom from sin and corruption–into liberty of the sons of God.

Just as the first-born were protected from the lambs blood, sprinkled on the door posts, so Jesus Ransom sacrifice delivers us from death.  Rom 5:9 says, “having now been justified by His blood” – NKJV

Yet that blood serves the dual purpose of sanctification, making us holy, “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience” (Heb 10:22).

As 1 Peter 1:2 (Weymouth) says, “…through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, with a view to their obedience and to their being sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.”

1 Cor 10:16 says, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not, a sharing together of the blood of the Christ?  The loaf which we break, is it not, a sharing together of the body of the Christ?”   The consecrated have this common sharing and participation jointly in His body and His sacrifice.  So tonight, only the consecrated members of Christ’s body should partake of the emblems.  If anyone has consecrated, but has not had a chance to be baptized yet, they should participate as well.  Yet we welcome the household of faith to observe, meditate, appreciate and given thanks for Jesus sacrifice with us.

 

JESUS PRE-HUMAN EXISTANCE

The sacrifice of Jesus to rescue the world from sin and death was planned for long before the creation of man.  Jesus was “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”  Rev 13:8

Proverbs 8:30 tells us of Jesus prehumen existence saying, “Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him.”

In John 17:15 Jesus prayed, “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” NASV

Hebrews 10:5-7 (NKJV) “ Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me … `Behold, I have come… To do Your will, O God.'”

So Jesus risked everything.  He left behind His joy, safety and glory in heaven to suffer and die and thereby become the Savior of mankind.

 

HOPE FOR MANKIND

In the meantime, as Rom 8:22 says “… the whole world groans and travails in pain waiting…” and vrs 21 tells us that “the creation itself shall be delivered.”

The first hope of mankind being delivered by the seed of blessing was given to mother Eve, promising that her seed would bruise the serpent’s head.  (Gen 3:15)

A clear promise was given to Abraham that through his seed all the families of the earth will be blessed.  (Gen 12:3; 28:14)

The Apostle Paul speaks of this promise to Abraham in Hebrews 6 and says that we have this hope of that Abrahamic promise, which takes us through the veil, following our forerunner, Jesus, the High Priest.  (Heb 6:13-20)

 

JESUS COMES INTO THE WORLD

Prior to Jesus’ birth, the angel Gabriel said to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High.  He would reign over Israel on David’s throne and his kingdom would never end. (Luke 1:31-33)

Angels later appeared to the Shepherds and they came to see the baby Savior.

“Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”  (Luke 2:19 NASV)

She could not know of the sorrow she would later endure to see her son accomplish His great mission of saving the world.  Yet in the end Mary would be comforted and encouraged by Jesus resurrection and exhalation.

At age 12, Jesus’ parents [Luke 2: 46, 47 (NASV)] “found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.   And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.”  In Luke 2:49 (Amplified) Jesus explained to his parents, “Did you not see {and} know that it is necessary as a duty for Me to be in My Father’s house {and} occupied about My Father’s business? “

At this young age, it seems that Jesus was either aware of, or else learning of, his mission.

At age 30, his mission begins when baptized at Jordon.  John the Baptist saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove and he declared (in John 1:29) “behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  Soon after, Jesus selects his twelve disciples.  He loves and cherishes them, even in their failings.

 

MIRACLES

Jesus healed the deaf and the crippled.  He restored site to the blind.  He cast out evil demons and performed many other miracles, many of which were performed on the Sabbath day.  This foreshadowed the great healing of mankind which would take place during this great antitypical 7th thousand year Millennial day.

Perhaps Jesus’ most memorable miracle was when He arrived at Bethany, after Lazarus had been dead for four days and lay in a tomb.  Many Jews were comforting the family.  Martha went to meet Jesus and said, “”Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”  Jesus replied, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”  (John 11:21, 25)

A little later, Mary came and fell down at Jesus feet, also saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32)   When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.  Jesus wept.  Moments later, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” and he did.

Many Jews believed on Jesus as a result.  But the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and plotted to put Him to death.  (John 11:48)

 

TEACHINGS

Jesus teachings were remarkable.

BREAD

John 6:51: “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

The Lord’s unblemished flesh, as a corresponding price for Adam’s condemned flesh, constituted the purchase price by which were redeemed father Adam and the entire human race in his loins.  Hence we now receive life or justification from Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, in advance of the world of mankind receiving it in the Kingdom.

HUMILITY

Jesus taught the critical importance of humility, without which the New Creature cannot grow.

Matt 18 (NKJV) “1  … the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  2  Then Jesus called a little child to Him… 3  and said,  “… unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  4  “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

JUDGING OURSELVES

Jesus taught the importance of judging ourselves, not others.

In Matt 7 (NKJV) 1  “Judge not, that you be not judged.  2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged…  5  “… First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

How easy it is to see the failings in our brethren – real or imagined.  How difficult it is to focus on our own failings and to correct them.

FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is so important, that it is part of the Lord’s Prayer.

Luke 11:4 (Amplified) “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us who has offended us or done us wrong.”

Let us never turn a blind eye by justifying our refusal to forgive others.

(1 John 3:14, 16 )(NKJV) “14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death…  16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

We had no choice in who our natural brothers or sisters were.  Nor do we have a choice in the matter with our spiritual brethren.  It is the Lord’s choice.

At this time of our Lord’s memorial, any bitterness, anger or resentment must be purged out of our hearts.  As 1 Cor 5:7 says, “purge out the old leaven.”  We are all a work in progress and we must be patient with others, if we want the Lord to be patient with us.  Jesus new in advance that Peter would betray Him, yet He forgave him before the act.  If we cannot purge these evil feelings from our heart, it would be too dangerous for God to entrust us with the infinite power of the Divine Nature and to be an intimate part of His divine family.

Matt 6:14 (NKJV)  “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

We can more easily forgive, when we stay focused on the task of being a nourishing part of Christ’s body.

Eph 4:16 (NASV) “the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”  (see also Rom 12:5)

We are directed to “forsake NOT the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb 10:25).  Many of us in times of weakness have been tempted to distance ourselves from our brethren.  Let us trust God’s Word in this matter.  Let us eat humble pie if you must.  Do not let human weakness and feelings overwhelm the sacrificing, loving, contributing and forgiving influences of the Holy Spirit.

 

JESUS FINAL HOURS

Let us now consider Jesus’ final days and hours.  First remember…

Matt 16:21 (NASV) says, “… Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”  There was no question in Jesus’ mind that he would have to suffer and die.  Any alternate course would not fulfill the prophecies and His mission would fail.

Jesus determined to go to Jerusalem, knowing the agony and death that awaited him.

In fear, His disciples resisted at first, but seeing Jesus’ determination, they submitted to their master.  Thomas said, “Let us go and die with Him.”  John 11:7,8, 16

Phil. 2:8: says, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH, EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS.” – NASV

In every moment of Jesus last few hours on earth he was intent on being totally faithful to the fathers will.  So much so that he was carefully endeavoring to accurately fulfill scriptures concerning Him, even in the face of pain, torture and humiliation.

When troops sent by the religious rulers came to arrest Jesus, He reassured His disciples saying, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  But HOW THEN WOULD THE SCRIPTURES BE FULFILLED THAT SAY IT MUST HAPPEN IN THIS WAY?” – NIV (Matt. 26:53, 54)

So then, Jesus willingly allowed the troops to take Him to Caiaphas and the certain suffering to follow, all so that THE SCRIPTURES WOULD BE FULFILLED.

Isaiah 53:7 says, “… Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So HE DID NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.” – NASV

As Jesus stood silently before the High Priest and Elders, so much conflicting testimony was given against him that they could not find a way to condemn him to death.

Then “…  the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”  JESUS SAID TO HIM, “YOU HAVE SAID IT YOURSELF; NEVERTHELESS I TELL YOU, HEREAFTER YOU SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN” – NASV (Matt 26:63-64)

In one sentence, Jesus said just enough so that they could accuse him of blasphemy and condemn him to death.  He obediently helped to direct events which would lead to his death on the cross.

While in agony on the cross, Jesus said, “I am thirsty,” so that the scripture in Psalms 69:21 might be fulfilled, which says, “For my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” -NASV

From the cross, Jesus looked down at John and his grieving mother.   Through the unbearable pain, Jesus in His love and compassion sought in part to ease their loss.  He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then He said to John, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour John took her into his own household.  (John 19:26, 27)

(In Matt. 27:46,) Jesus said, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”  He quoted from the opening verse of Psalm 22, the Psalm which describes His death on the cross, so that He could strengthen the faith of his disciples, when they would later realize that this Psalm applied to Him.

God promises us that He would never leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5, Deut 31:6).  Throughout Jesus life, the Father protected Him from danger.  Yet in His final hours, the Father would have to forsake Him, allowing Him to suffer and die.  Yet soon God would raise His Son from death to glory and power at His  right hand.

Earlier in the Garden of Gethsemane, with great crying and tears, Jesus prayed to Him who could deliver Him out of death (Heb 5:7).  Jesus’ fear was that if He had failed in any regard, that He would not be raised from the dead and that His mission to save the world would have failed.

Luke 22:43 (NAS) “ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.”

Perhaps the angel reassured Him that he had been totally faithful up until that point.  This would then give Jesus this added strength to press on and finish the task.

When Jesus prayed that this cup pass from him, he was not praying to escape out of suffering, but rather for success in his sacrificing mission.  He prayed that he would faithfully drink of the cup and that He could “pass” on that same opportunity to his body members.

It is inspiring and amazing that our Savior, in such pain and agony stayed focused on His mission every step of the way.

 

THE DISCIPLES PREPARE PASSOVER

Earlier, as Passover neared, Jesus reminded his disciples that he would be crucified.

In Bethany, Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair.    Jesus said, “She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.” (Mark 14:8)

Later, Jesus “sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”” (Luke 22:8)  Per Jesus’ instructions, they entered the city, then followed a man who provided them with a furnished upper room where they made preparations.

At the meal, Jesus warned that one of them would betray him, and his disciples were puzzled, wondering who he was talking about.  But the conversation soon shifted to whom among them would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven.   Jesus then taught them “the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant” (Luke 22:26).  Later that night, after supper, Jesus would wash his disciple’s feet, then say to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).

Jesus promised, “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.  “And I covenant unto you a kingdom, just as My Father covenanted to Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:28-30).

Yet Jesus warned that Peter would betray Him.  Peter assured Jesus that he was willing to go to prison and die for Jesus.  No doubt, Peter was as sincere, as are we.  Yet because of our human failings, we need Jesus by our side to give us strength in unexpected moments of weakness.

 

MEMORIAL EMBLEMS

So tonight be are gathered to pay tribute to the greatest human life ever lived, to give honor to the life giver of the human race, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

We understand the work of atonement accomplished through the Ransom and Sin-Offering, and through these memorial symbols, we honor those precious doctrines.

Matt 26:26 (NKJV)  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

 

As Jesus asked a blessing on the bread before serving it to his disciples, so we will ask Brother or Sister XXXXX  to ask a similar blessing on the bread in consideration of what it pictures.

PRAYER FOR THE BREAD:

SERVING THE BREAD

[After the prayer, walk over to the table and break one of the crackers.

Platter of crackers served to brethren.  Deacon serves elders.]

Ask:  “Has anyone not been served that desires to partake?”

SERVING THE CUP

Matt 26:27-28 (NKJV) “Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

As Jesus gave thanks for the cup before serving it to his disciples, so Brother or Sister XXXX will pray a similar blessing on the cup in consideration of what it pictures.

PRAYER FOR THE CUP:

[Platter of grape juice distributed. ]

Ask:  Has anyone not been served that desires to partake?

The account says that when they sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  As Jesus memorial ended with a hymn and without a prayer, so we will do the same.

After the hymn, we encourage you to figuratively go to the Mount of Olives with our Lord, Jesus and continue your devotional meditations of Jesus final experiences in his remaining hours on earth, finally remembering His glorious resurrection on the third day.

CLOSING HYMN OF YOUR CHOICE: for example Hymns of Dawn:  326  WHEN I VIEW THE CROSS

Find more about the Memorial by clicking here.

41 comments to Do it yourself Memorial Script – How to celebrate with a group or by yourself

  • Marjo

    My mother just told me that witnesses has asked her to join in memorial service at the kingdom hall. She also asked me to join. I didn’t answer nothing to that. That I am thinking right now…how am I goint to tell her without hurting her feelings that I am not going to take a part at their memorial service? I haven’t even told her yet that I am with Bible students now. That is because she still thinks that JW’s are the one and right religion on the earth. Maybe I will tell her that I am going to make my own memorial service at home myself.

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Good morning Marjo. A problem most of us have faced, whether to let family know about your walk with God. It tore my witness family up when I was innocently letting them know I had found the Bible students. The backlash from my children was over the top, even now most family wonder about them and their attempt to control their mother.
      So you could get that or your mother might respect your decisions. I would pray hard and others might have something encouraging to say. I really thought I was going to be physically assaulted on one or two occasions by witness family.
      But for me coming out with it proved best in a long run. I am so free now. Everybody except my sons have settled in and decided how or if to deal eith me.
      So that is one route. But you have children and this is grandma. Only you know your mother.
      Whatever you decide we will be there for you. It gets really tough at memorial for those whose brains have awakened.
      Kent will give you the set up for your memorial on that side of the world. Tough Marjo, so glad you got a little stronger before you got to this decision. Remember, that the way you approach it will make a difference, pray, bite your tongue and listen then speak. Love to you.

      • Marjo

        Hello dear sister

        I am figuring out how to tell her gently about it. As I know that she still believes in JW’s way even tho she doesn’t go to the meetings. She knows that if she goes back there she couldn’t be in any contact with me so that is what is keeping her not to go back there. She does know about Russell tho. But she doesn’t know that there still is Bible students. As JW’s always teach that Bible students changed their name as Jehovah Witnesses. I’m praying Jehovah to find right words to that. I could tell her that Jesus didn’t shun anyone He was with everybody. He was trying to help everyone and so should we.

        • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

          Yes Marjo, share that he even went to preach to the spirits in prison and spoke to Sanhedrin and everybody. Let her know you have found the Bible students and that you will celebrate memorial with them this year. Get the 2013 watchtower that says they are not the evil slave but the evil slave is among the governing body. (They said this not me, so have a copy ready for her to see them say it.) Since she doesn’t go it might be easier.
          I find it odd that people who don’t go to the kingdom hall themselves will shunn another person who leaves, wierd, that they leave a religion but still adhere to some of it’s non biblical beliefs. On birthdays for instance I told a relative that is a witness only thing and I am not a witness, also on going from door to door, I said that is a witness thing I am not a witness. I teach and worship Jehovah but not obeying the witness rules and regulations, only the Bible.
          You might just be surprised, she might just attend by internet with you in your home and enjoy it. Let’s pray on it.

        • greg (Bible Student)

          Hello Marjo,

          I recall the first time we decided to celebrate the Memorial privately as a family. I’ve never imagined it would be so wonderful!!!

          Afterwards my wife told me that she really liked our celebrating it as a family because that’s how the Israelites would have celebrated the Passover, and that’s how Jesus celebrated it: together with his closest associates in a simple, non-conspicuous, and truly heartfelt, meaningful way.

          Our circumstances were different than yours in that nobody even missed us. But I do remember a time a few years later that an elder called to ask us if we were going to attend the Memorial. I tried to avoid directly answering his prying questions, but he kept pressing me and eventually he outright asked me if I was going to attend. I told him that our family’s health-related obstacles (our spiritual health especially) and circumstances limited us, and we were going to celebrate it at home as a family. He tried to pressure me into attending using guilt and shame tactics. I simply thanked him for his concern and said I would be personally taking care of my family’s spirituality since no one else was offering to help. Of course, by that time I wouldn’t have gone even if we had been offered loads of help.

          Yes, the first time you break with tradition and expectations is often the most challenging. After that it can get easier. I’ll keep you in my prayers as you work at wriggling free of the stranglehold the JW’s try to maintain.

          Kindly and encouragingly,
          -greg

  • ari m davies

    I read your text on a proper memorial celebration and I can only say that even though I was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and attended quite a few of their memorials I so agree with what you have printed I just can’t believe how far the Jehovah’s Witnesses have fallen from this. I do not mean to defame them I know they have honest intentions in honoring Jehovah and Jesus Christ but if you have ever walked in to a Jehovah’s Witness memorial for the first time what you see is 200 people refusing the holy sacraments the bread in the wine that symbolize the body and blood of Jesus Christ it’s downright scary looking it looks satanic! How is the newcomer supposed to understand that only a hundred and forty four thousand are supposed to take of those emblems how is a newcomer supposed to understand that anybody that discerns the body of Jesus Christ can freely take of those emblems? It’s truly an appearance of evil and I’m so happy to see that the original root of Jehovah’s Witnesses the Bible students still adhere to the true Memorial like the Bible says it should be celebrated Jesus didn’t just serve some bread and wine Jesus rented an expensive room and laid out with much preparation for his apostles a full-course Passover meal after which he distributed the bread and the wine and prayed over it and everybody was free to take it then they concluded and went outside and hung around singing songs! I truly urge those people that have fallen in their memorial celebration which is in my opinion the most important event of the year to come back to the Bible’s way of doing things read the account and do just like Jesus and his Apostles did don’t let anybody tell you not to eat or drink of those emblems if you’re not one of the hundred forty-four thousand nothing in the Bible tells you not to eat and drink of the emblems if you’re not one of the hundred forty-four thousand in fact the New Testament specifically tells us that the apostles went from place to place from church to church showing everybody how to break the bread and the wine. My only sorrow is that there is no Bible student churches in my area I would so much like to see the old style Bible students as a leading Church instead of sitting so quietly in the background like the outcast sister that Jehovah’s Witnesses have made of them! As we approach our Memorial my heart goes out to all of you enjoy your Memorial with the sanctity and the seriousness that it represents but rejoice that we are able to enjoy it because Jesus Christ is our Lord and King and we are part of his body!

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Ari M Davis hello, so nice to hear from you again our friend. Now we have an internet hook up for us to talk to one another. https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/2017/12/20/testimony-meeting/. I enjoyed reading all of your comments. I also use my freedom now to sit, talk too and listen to other believers in Christ. Judging others and being dogmatic on things not clearly stated is a definite cause for caution. I prefer to wait on Jesus to make it clear.

      On the Memorial, certain wiccums celebrate memorial by passing the emblems and NOT partaking. In fact the new world translation changed the Bible to validate this satanic practice. No other Bible says to just pass it without drinking it. I hear the newer Bible of theirs says the same.

      Luke 22:17 witnesses New World Translation: “And,accepting a cup,he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves:”
      Notice PASS IT not ever drink it! Now notice other translations:

      WE He took the cup and thanked God. He said, `Take this. All of you drink from this.
      TLV And when He had taken a cup and offered the bracha, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.
      VOICE He took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it. Jesus: Take this; share it among yourselves.
      WEB He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves,
      KJ21 And He took the cup, and gave thanks and said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves;
      ASV And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
      AMP And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;
      AMPC And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He said, Take this and divide and distribute it among yourselves;
      BRG And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
      CSB Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.
      CEB After taking a cup and giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.
      CJB Then, taking a cup of wine, he made the b’rakhah and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves.
      CEV Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he told the apostles, “Take this wine and share it with each other.
      DARBY And having received a cup, when he had given thanks he said, Take this and divide it among yourselves.
      DLNT And having taken a cup, having given-thanks, He said “Take this and distribute it to yourselves.
      DRA And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:

      • greg (Bible Student)

        Wow Jacqueline!

        I thank you for bringing yet another defection from truth into my awareness. In addition to the words “Satanic Practice” that you wrote, the words Sacrilege and Irreverence are evoked in my mind as aptly descriptive of this unjust departure from the words of Jesus.

        Sometimes tears stream down my cheeks when I contemplate the love Jesus showed in dying even for the ones who would not just mistreat him but who would also mistreat those who would try to follow him.

        Luke 11:52 “Woe to YOU who are versed in the Law, because YOU took away the key of knowledge; YOU yourselves did not go in, and those going in YOU hindered!” (NWT)

        Matthew 23:13, 15 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in. … Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one YOU make him a subject for Ge·hen′na twice as much so as yourselves. (NWT)

        Has anyone else also noticed that (at least in recent years–I haven’t checked further back in time than 2012) Jehovah’s Witnesses always seem to celebrate their memorial on the “wrong” day? Is that, too, part of the deception at play? I mean, whoever is responsible for setting the date, what is the reason they set it differently than the Jewish Calendar? How do they come up with the date they do, and do they arrive at an erroneous date both with full knowledge and intentionally?

        Hmmm… Things to understand…

        -greg

  • kevin davis

    The main thing is for us to remember Christ and his works and faith for us to have everlasting life,. And it does not matter who you are,. The Father loves all mankind but we need to love him back and learn how to love,.

  • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

    This is just one article on how the date of the Memorial is reckoned:
    http://www.heraldmag.org/2005/05ma_10.htm

    This is an interesting on why the two dates are one month apart this year. There might be other reasons including the fact that the first full moon is said to be April 9th, but some food for thought.

    Why is Easter so early this year and 1 month different from the Jewish passover?
    http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/article/ZZ/20080319/NEWS/803199973

  • Daz

    Hi everyone, I have been looking into this for a while now as it is something that I need to set straight in my mind. After discussing this indepth matter with an anointed one I am starting to understand that maybe it is actually only the anointed/priests that are supposed to partake.
    1Corinthians:10:17 says: “For we, though many, are one bread and one body, for we all partake of that one bread.”
    It seems that this partaking of the bread is actually for those ones who make up the parts of the body of Christ (1Corinthians: 12:27).
    The one body with Christ is his wife is it not? Christ is the saviour of wife through the ransom of his blood, his sacrifice read Ephesians: 5:23,25,26,27,30 & Revelation: 21:2,3; 5:9,10.

    Warm & loving regards,
    Daz

  • Peter K. (admin)

    I hope that some of you are able to join us tonight for this special fellowship meeting with an open discussion about the Memorial and a sharing of your personal testimonies.

  • Ken

    That’s great Jacqueline, hope some of the witnesses will come around to see that the BS aren’t apostate. I witnessed and gave a BS tract to someone at my job the other day and told him I was as BS(felt wierd saying that since I’ve ID’d myself as a Jw for so long)he accepted it and said it was divine guidance that I spoke with him! I just ordered some more BS literature to place and hopefully start a Bible study with someone soon:)

    • Jacqueline

      Ken, Divine providence indeed. So many oddities happened before I left that the elders couldn’t believe how one elder came forward and confessed his alledged sins against his daughter or lose his wife. He also cleared my name and told them the truth. A young boy that was a victim of the alledged pedacrast that had gone to court against me confided in the brothers and they saw I was telling the truth. It was the society not my local brothers that gave me grief over the peodophiles issues that I tackled head on without regard to the org. reputation. But now all is past and I look forward to Thursday. I got a call since I posted from a JW and informed them I wil not be available for anything after today. I am emotionally drained. (Watch an angel disagree and send more visitors LOL.)

      • Ken

        That’s great Jacqueline!So glad things are working out for you:)I’d be curious to hear about the results of the Jw’s reaction form readin the SITS, please let me know……maybe you can start a Bible Study:)

  • ZENODotus

    I have just a small question… I would like to participate… But is it possible to talk with skype with a keyboard? I have severe autism :$… I can talk, but communicating is very hard for me.
    For the rest could you tell me what time this is in Chicago? Then I can use a world clock to know how late it is.

    • Ken

      Zeno, I don’t know am sure someone here can 🙂

      • Jacqueline

        Ken and all I have had a very stressfull yet fruitful day. The friends worked my territory and I had many visitors. My family also arrived from out of town. I was watching Detroit convention on a Big screen TV projected from my computer. Friday 2 witnesses stopped by for almost 3 hrs. One more for 1hr. Wednesday one witness for about 2 hours. Today I had 6 witness stop by with the memorial invitation. I placed (5)volumes of the SITS and one grand plan booklet. One color photodrama,one dvd set of photo drama. I am so tired that I can’t tell the whole story but thought I would share that. I think I am being love bombed but they are also curious about the religion I am in. They don’t understand that there is some other religion that knows about the 144,000 and the kingdom. Poor brothers, I felt sorry for them as they tried to grasp it. I guess the elders will visit tomorrow after some go back and talk. 8 witnesses in 5 days, way over the top. I am drained. I have talked out. Last person left at 10:15 pm.

        • Ken

          Wow Jacqueline, yeah you’re exhausted!! Hope you got some rest by the time you read this:)Did you place the SITS volumes with the JW’s? You must have a lot of friends in the Jw cong. that love you. Las night my wife discovered this site(friends of Jw’s) and read a few comments and then said…”I’m on an apostate website and I’m going to become one”!

          • Jacqueline

            Yes, these were all JW. They all go to the KH on a regular basis. They are there now and was in field service. Some just came over to visit. One relative said they all want to make sure I go to Memorial as they thought I didn’t attend last year because I did Adobe connect. They don’t understand. When most work my street one sister says they tell them how an elder lost in court but remained and elder and I was persecuted for exposing his adulterous ways and stalking. I told her, that should die, it has been years. She said everytime my name comes up someone tells the story at gatherings and in car groups. So they know I did nothing wrong and that the society’s lawyer’s letter to the courts was proved a lie, because the brother confessed to the judge and 70 other bystanders in the court.
            So that explains why many don’t shun me. My case was very public and I hid nothing because the federal victims assistant counselors told me to tell guards in a store if he followed me, even to tell people in the checkout line very openly that my stalker is here and I have a restaining order. They said this would keep me alive. I tired however of fighting with the hdqtrs and the brothers and found Jesus and the Bible Students in the process. I feel like Joseph that it was for this day that I suffered at the hands of the CO and DO (not local elders). To lead me to Christ and to his true congregation. I would not change one suffering for I was so devoted to the witnesses that I would have died for it. Now I have found the only one that can die for us, and I am happy and spiritually over flowing with good food. I openly tell every witness I am a Bible Studen, they just ask who are they and I bring out a SITS. They don’t need tracks they are beyond that. They eat it up and I get the books from the table every fouth sunday that others no longer need and pass them on. A JW is coming to hear detroit convention with me after their lunch today also.
            BTW: Mary was an apostate and Jesus was one of the biggest ones in the world he not only left Judaism but denounced their govverning body and started something brand new. So you are in good company, along with the apostle apostates and most of the first century christians.

            • Frank

              Hi Jacqueline, stumbled on this abbreviated account of your experience by chance. Have you written it out in full and published it on the web? If so, please let me have the URL. Thank you.
              Courage, and best wishes.

              • Jacqueline

                Hi Frank, I could write a book as I was not just a witness that stayed still but moved around the country and had many relatives at any given time in Bethel and missionary work. But no I have not written nor published a 6 page letter that I wrote the society. I have told about a court case I had with them on sixscreensofthewatchtower. I find most of us have the same or similar experiences, an indication that it is the policies of the organization as it is worldwide same experiences. Since leaving I have found other religions operate with high control also. We were told that the witness org was ruled from Jehovah but it is the same as scientology, LDS and many other high control groups. Some large employers here don’t want to offer insurance that pays for birth control because of their religion. So freedom has allowed me to see through the veil of “We are different”. Highly organized and controlling religion is a scourge and steals people from Christ I feel. Take Care Jacqueline

    • Jacqueline

      Hello Br. ZenoDotus, I was on one live adobe connect out of ohio last year. I hooked up to New York one hour later by phone and partook with them. Br. Peter might be able to get a real time hook up for you. I live 15min and 20 min away from 2 classes but I might go to Chicago for the all day services.

      • ZENODotus

        Hello sister Jacqueline, hopefully you could rest some after the hectic time you described above… Thanks for the info… I’ve also found a link on your website to a pre-recording I will use tomorrow… I must be very upbuilding to go to such an all day convention!

        • Jacqueline

          Thanks ZenoDotus. Our skype is free here in US. Is it free in your country also? That’s probably a dumb question.

          • Jacqueline

            Br. Zeno we are correcting the problem please call back

          • ZENODotus

            hey… Yes it is free also… But I have the slight feeling I’m doing something wrong :$

            • Jacqueline

              To everyone that is trying to get on, I think we are overloaded. 16 were on at one point. I think it is casting off when it reaches it’s limit. Keep trying. I will give your love Br. ZenoDotus.
              5 others can’t get on either.

              • ZENODotus

                Thanks sis… A little dissapointed because looked forward to it all week ;)… But maybe next week… Hopefully you all could share some nice thoughts and testimonies with each other… And whish you all the best…

                • Jacqueline

                  You got on and we enjoyed hearing your voice our brother. All thanks goes to the LORD for that.

                  • Jacqueline

                    WHAT A BLESSING TONIGHT! I found out something about skype. 4or5 people can not call in at the same moment. At one point their was 16 and 5 trying to get on. It finally calmed down as we called spaced apart. The different heartfelt testimonies warmed the heart and put us in the right frame of mind for the Memorial of the death of our Lord. Br. Joe’s prayer was comforting as he mentioned the crisis with families torn apart by the situation of changing religions. He prayed for our father’s will. So tomorrow is a day to remember. Sorry some could not get on. Some listened thru other’s speakers by phone. God Bless to everyone and love, peace and harmony.

            • Jacqueline

              3 people just got on now. Maybe try again now.

    • Sharon

      Brother ZenoDotus, you can “chat”/ type in Skype. The only thing is those who call in won’t be able to read it. But that’s not a problem as one of us will read it for the group. And you should be approved to get on Skype tonight. Hopefully you will be able to attend the meeting tonight with Brother Peter. It will be great and so upbuilding to hear the testimonies. Ad JWs we rarely heard brother’s testimonies except if they were “choreographed” by the Elders. Then discussing the Memorial as the Bible Students understand it will be enlightening for all of us, too.

      • ZENODotus

        Didn’t see these comments just tonight… Thanks for the info Sharon… I will certainly try to join, am very curious, and love to hear testimonies from others, and discussing such an important biblical topic! :$.

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