Communion Service
Communion is celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the Christian church. The actual method is not so important since it is not dictated in scripture. Far more important is that everyone who participates is aware of what we are celebrating, why we are celebrating and our individual responsibilities to come with a right attitude of heart and mind.
These few paragraphs are intended to explain a little about the way in which we practice this important opportunity of grace.
When we celebrate Communion
We regularly celebrate Communion (sometimes referred to as ‘Breaking of Bread’, the ‘Lord’s Table’ or the ‘Sacrament’) each month and at various other times throughout the year.
On the last Sunday of each month, we celebrate Communion immediately following the evening service, without any break so that the two services are effectively one.
In addition, we have a separate Communion Service before the morning service on the first Sunday of the year, Easter Sunday, Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday and Church Anniversary Sunday. This service is conducted in a separate room to the morning worship so that people are able to gather for worship without disturbing the Communion service. There is usually a break of around 15 to 20 minutes between the two services while people move between rooms.
Who is invited to Participate
This celebration is of particular significance as a time when we remember the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ as the supreme demonstration of God’s love for us, and the means by which He paid the penalty for our sins.
Anyone who professes salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is welcome to join with us in these celebratory services. However, everyone is reminded of the importance of having a clear conscience before God and men, so that they can participate in the service in a “worthy” manner.
Format of the Service
It is our practice to ask the person who is booked to preach at the associated morning or evening worship service if they would like to lead the Communion service. Different people have their own preferences as to how the service should be conducted and we welcome any variations in the way communion is administered that are consistent with scripture.
However, we are aware that some prefer to follow the "normal" practice of our church and it is for this reason that we offer the following guidance:
- Before the start of the service, the emblems are placed on a table at the front – the wine being served in a rack of individual glasses. Stewards are appointed to help in distributing the emblems later in the service.
- The service opens with a hymn of worship and prayer of dedication
- This is followed by one or more scripture readings and/or short devotional word that is appropriate for the occasion. The objective is to help those present to fix their attention on the purpose of the gathering, to challenge their preparedness and to encourage everyone to approach the occasion with a right spirit and attitude of heart.
- The one who is leading prays a blessing on the bread and the wine and may or may not ask for others to lead the gathering in short prayers, as they feel led by God.
- At an appropriate time, the person leading the service initiates the distribution of the emblems by handing them to the stewards, who then pass them around to everyone present.
- Once everyone has been served, the whole gathering stand up and, following the person leading the service, partake of the bread and the wine together.
- The service then closes with a hymn of praise and prayer of thanksgiving