Communion
We celebrate communion on the second Sunday of each month. Either the worship leader or pastor typically leads communion service. If you are leading worship on communion Sunday, decide in conjunction with Jonny who will lead. As worship leader, you are in charge of getting bread and grapes for communion. If this poses a problem, be in touch with Jonny. You can also ask others to make the bread. We need the bread to be free of seeds and nuts, and the grapes to be seedless, so that there are no health issues. Juice and gluten-free crackers are in church office in the worship closet. The worship leader often helps to serve communion. If you are not comfortable with serving, let Jonny know. He will gather the other servers needed…two people for the bread, two people for the cup and one person for the grapes for children (often is the person leading children’s time). There is a sink in the office that can be used to wash out the cups after the service. Try to make sure that pieces of bread don’t go down the sink.
To lead communion:
The bolded wording under #3 is what is to be conveyed each time we celebrate communion. For all other parts you can change the wording that’s given as example, as well as change the order of the sections.
1. Introduce what communion is (this helps give meaning for those who haven’t grown up in church contexts):
Example: “Communion is a sign of reconciliation, God reaching towards us. Offering grace. It is also about our response. Affirming that we are choosing to be a part of God’s people and the way of Jesus in the world.
It is a time when we remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and are invited into the present and incoming future where chains will be broken and bondage will be no more.”
2. Give the words of “institution” or describe the last supper:
Example: “And so we remember, at the last supper, Jesus and his disciples were celebrating Passover. The time to remember God freeing the Israelites from oppression. And Jesus took the familiar symbol of bread and blessed it, giving thanks to God, then broke it, as was the custom of the day.
Then he said, this is my body, broken for you. And after they had eaten, he took the wine and blessed it, another familiar gesture for the host. And said this is the new covenant, in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me.”
3. Describe our practice and it’s meaning with the following words or something similar:
“As has been our practice in this congregation, children are invited to take grapes. As recognition of being part of God’s family and growing in faith, while not needing to make larger faith decisions.
Youth and adults who are being drawn to Jesus and choosing to follow God’s ways, are invited to take the bread and cup. If you have been baptized, it’s a time to remember and renew that public commitment. If you haven’t, it is a time to remember the commitments you have made in more private settings. And is a step in your journey of maturing faith and decisions.
For all of us, it is a time to experience God’s presence and love, meeting us where we are; with all our fears, struggles, and pressures. Inviting us to come back to ourselves and to our Creator.”
4. Then give basic instructions:
Example: “You can come forward through the middle aisle. There are gluten-free crackers to my (right or left). Or the bread is gluten-free. The grapes are to my (right or left). If taking the bread and cup, pull off a piece of bread and dip it in the grape juice.”
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