Communion -
FYI
July 1, 2018
When I
realized this would be a Communion Sunday I thought it might be a good idea to
explain some things about Communion. Often when I observe Communion from the
choir loft, I think that I appreciate the service more because know somethings
about it that others perhaps do not. The reason being that I, and several
others Elders, have taken Communion Training which authorizes us to administer
the Sacrament in the absence of the minister, or to someone outside the church setting.
So, “How many here take communion?” That was one of the
first questions at one training session we took. The answer is, none of
you. The sacrament is a gift and is
given to you. So, you don’t take it - you receive
it! Well, sometimes I have to remind
myself of that because for years, I thought I was taking communion.
Let’s talk about what communion is not
-
1. It is not assurance of entry into any more
‘worthy’ status (entry into heaven)
2. It is not Body or Blood. In the Presbyterian
Church, we do not believe the elements of bread and juice change into the
actual body and blood of Christ. In some other religions, it is thought there
is a transformation. For us, they are symbols.
3. It is not
a Snack. So, coming to receive it,
should be done with thought.
4. It is not
a Secret (if delivering Communion to
the home-bound) In fact, every time communion is served, whether in the church
or in a home or hospital etc., it is reported and recorded in the Session
minutes.
Now let’s see what Communion is:
For one thing - it is one of two
Sacraments of the Presbyterian Church USA.
The other one
is - Baptism.
If you don’t mind I am going to read
part of the Theology of the Lord’s Supper from the PCUSA Book of Order. I feel
it is very interesting and meaningful.
“The Lord’s Supper (or Eucharist) is the sign and seal of our
communion with the crucified and risen Lord. Jesus shared meals with his
followers throughout his earthly life and ministry—common suppers, miraculous
feasts, and the covenant commemorations of the people of God. Jesus spoke of
himself as the bread of life, and the true vine, in whom we are branches. On
the night before his death, Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples. He
spoke of the bread and wine as his body and blood, signs of the new covenant
and told the disciples to remember him by keeping this feast. On the day of his
resurrection, Jesus made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of the
bread. The disciples continued to devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching,
fellowship, prayers, and the common meal. As Paul wrote, when we share the
bread and cup in Jesus’ name, “we who are many are one body” (1 Cor. 10:17). The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper offers an abundant feast of theological meaning, including: thanksgiving to God the Father; remembrance of Jesus Christ; invocation of the Holy Spirit; communion in the body of Christ; and a meal of the realm of God. The Re- formed tradition understands the Lord’s Supper to be a sign of God’s covenant. The bread of the Lord’s Supper is linked with the bread of Passover and the gift of manna in the wilderness. The Lord’s Supper thus connects us with God’s saving power and providential care from generation to generation. Like the offering of sacrifices, a sign of Israel’s thanks- giving for God’s faithfulness, the Lord’s Supper is a sacrifice of praise and a sign of our gratitude for God’s steadfast love. The Lord’s Supper represents God’s gracious invitation to an everlasting covenant. The Lord’s Supper also reflects our calling to feed others as we have been fed, and offers a foretaste of that heavenly banquet when God will wipe away every tear and swallow up death forever.
The Lord’s Supper enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God’s sustaining grace offered to all people. The Lord’s Supper is at once God’s gift of grace, God’s means of grace, and God’s call to respond to that grace. Through the Lord’s Supper, Jesus Christ nourishes us in righteousness, faithfulness, and discipleship. Through the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Spirit renews the Church in its identity and sends the Church to mission in the world.”
The Book of Order also explains who is
responsible for the Lord’s Supper.
1. I already
explained that Elders may take Communion Training to administer the sacrament.
We used to have to take it every year or asked to be commissioned again by a
Presbytery committee. Now, I think they made it so the training is done every three
years.
Communion elements may also be taken
from the table by Deacons and Elders to the homebound, if requested. In that
case, the Deacons and Elders do not need the training, because it is brought
from the church service. It is an extension of the Table. There are guidelines
as to how to do that as well. It should be done by two or more people to
represent the community of the church.
Those that have been trained may
provide the elements and administer the communion on another day, which in that
case, the elements are not coming from the table and a service already held.
2. Who
decides when Communion is served and the method of Communion?
The Session decides. The Session is
the board of Ruling Elders elected by the congregation. They decide how often
if is served. Our church has regular Communion on the first Sunday of the month
and at special services such as Maundy Thursday and the 11 o’clock Christmas
Eve. Service. They may also authorize it to be served at a Christian marriage,
ordinations and installations, ministry to the sick. Our session has granted a
blanket authorization for communion to the ill as there may not be time for an
individual authorization.
The Goshen Presbyterian Church
celebrates Communion every Sunday. According to the Book of Order, it may be
celebrated as often as desired but must be served at least quarterly.
The Session decides whether it will be
done by Intinction or Pew Communion. We generally use Intinction and save Pew Communion
for special services, such as World Wide Communion Sunday in Oct.
Why one over
the other?
Time - mostly. It takes more time to
prepare, serve and clean up for Pew Com. Although, to me, there is something
special about holding the elements and taking them all together or on Maundy
Thursday, holding that cup and hearing “This cup is the new covenant, sealed
with my blood, shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins.”
While we are
talking about the elements -
Pita Bread - there
is really nothing super special about Pita bread other than the fact it doesn’t
fall apart when one dips it in the juice.
Some churches
even bake their own bread. We have even used hard rolls in a pinch when someone
has forgotten to get pita. And now, we have rice crackers for those with gluten
issues.
Wine or Grape
Juice - we use grape juice. We used to use wine and grape juice but when
we became aware that some recovering alcoholics had some concerns about
possibly get the wrong one, the Session years ago decided we would only serve
juice.
Leftovers? - You may wonder what is done with the
leftover bread and juice. According to the Book of Order - the Session should make the decision but in
keeping with the Reformed understanding of the Sacrament & principles of
good Stewardship, it may be consumed or returned to the earth. So, you may take
the remaining bread and eat it or use it in a way of consumption. Here, someone
usually takes it to feed the birds. The juice may be drank or poured out on the
ground rather than down a drain.
We do ask
that you hold the pita holder, not the pita, when ripping a piece off for
cleanliness reasons.
Who may receive Communion?
It has been that all those who are
baptized and believe that Jesus Christ is their Lord & Savior may partake. I believe, now even those who have not been
baptized but desire to receive it, may.
May Children receive? - Our church
leaves it up to parents but recommend that they have instructed them and that
they understand what they are doing, after all, remember, it is not a snack.
Generally, after they have made their confirmation.
How many times may you receive Communion on a Sunday? - as often as one wants. Some of us are at more than one service
in a day and are free to partake at all services.
The Book of
Order also provides the Sections of the Service.
You have probably noticed that the
service of the Lord’s Supper doesn’t change much and that is because there are
basic requirements to the service.
Listen for
them when we are at the Table.
They include:
1. Invitation -
2. Great Prayer of Thanksgiving - which we do not include. Some of you
who have come from other churches probably wonder why. I did ask Jeff and he
said, time. The Great Prayer can be two pages long. It includes some responsive
phrasing and is often included in Worship Hymnals. Ours hymnal does not, our
older one did. I have copies if anyone would like one or would like to see it.
3. Lord’s Prayer - we say the
prayer earlier in the service so we don’t repeat it.
4. Words of Institution - you will
hear me say, “Hear now the words of institution”
5. Communion of the People -
distribution of the elements
6. Prayer Following Communion
7. Creed - which we say earlier
I hope you
found this informative and that you maybe learned something new or have a
deeper appreciation of the Lord’s Supper.
No comments:
Post a Comment