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Communion

Service of Communion

What follows is the usual order of a Service of Communion.

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION (read responsively)

Pastor:

According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at the table with the disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Remember the Lord Jesus Christ.

Congregation:

We remember and are thankful.

Pastor:

Lift up you hearts.

Congregation:

We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor:

Let us pray.

Mighty God, good Father, we thank you for the gift of life, and for the world, our home. We thank you for your loving-kindness to us and all people. Your works are great and wonderful. Your ways are just and true. You alone are holy.

Congregation:

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty: He was, He is and He is to come.

Pastor:

Holy God: We praise you for your Son Jesus, who shared our weakness, and was tempted in every way as we are; who obeyed you, by suffering and dying for us. You have raised him to rule the world, and given him a name above every name - Lord and Christ. We praise him and we glorify you, great, great God our Father.

Now give us your Spirit in the breaking of bread, so that by your power we may be drawn together and made one with Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Congregation:

With Christians through all ages, and throughout the world we lift our hearts to you giving thanks and trusting you to use us your people; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

THE SHARING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

Usually the Congregation stays seated and is served the elements; however, occasionally, the Congregation will go to the front of the Sanctuary for the elements.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (read in unison)

We thank you, Father, for this supper shared in the Spirit with your Son Jesus, who makes us new and strong, and brings us life eternal. We praise you for giving all good gifts in him, and pledge ourselves to serve you, even as you have served us in Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN.

Pastor:

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world, anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, he will have the light of life."

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN.

What is Communion?

The act of eating and drinking with Jesus has been called by a number of names: Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, the Breaking of Bread. Each of these points to a particular meaning.

The titles Breaking of Bread and the Lord's Supper emphasize the oldest New Testament accounts of the institution of the sacrament (Mark 14:17-25 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The Gospels report Jesus' common eating and drinking with people from various walks of life, making such events worthy of remembrance. As far as it can be determined, Jewish meals always included bread. It was also customary for the host or head of the house to bless the bread and then break and share it with those at the table.

On the day of his resurrection the risen Jesus made himself known to his followers in the breaking of bread. He continued to show himself to believers by preparing, serving and sharing meals. This act continued among the followers of Jesus and the breaking and sharing of bread became a sacred act of remembrance, making present God's gracious act in Jesus the Christ in the special moment of remembering.

http://www.pcusa.org/today/archive /believe/wpb9505.htm

Communion & Children

Many have asked whether it is appropriate to allow children to participate in Communion. The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church states: "The invitation (to the Lord's Supper) shall include baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed to participate with an understanding of the significance for the invitation to the Lord's Table and of their response in faith." Because a child's understanding of Communion and his or her faith can best be determined by the child's parents, the Session (governing body of the Church) feels that it is up to the parents to decide if their children should participate.