Does anyone do home Communion?

Do you have a format? Scriptural prayers?
What do you use for the bread and the wine?
Any thoughts or discussion?

Ken Rank said:

Our family believes that what we call communion, is done when he did it, at the Passover meal. So, we set one cup (wine) apart, and an amount of unleavened bread during that annual meal... and we do the blessings that he would have said over them. We also take the time to reflect at what each element means.

My practice does not mean that I think those who do it weekly are less holy, less favored, or less anything else! We do what we do because that is what we think he meant, but I can see how others arrive at different conclusions.

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I agree. It is just our conviction that this is something that should be done:

“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1 Corin 11

The word "remembrance" is, I think, key in the discussion. Especially in light of what Paul said 4 chapters later:

1 Corin 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures

I grew up in the Episcopalian Church where communion was taken every Sunday. Not sure what they do now.

Tree of Life said:

Nope! The sacraments are, by definition, a public event and not a private event.

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Thanks for the comment. Something to think about.

devin553344 said:

I do home communion because of medical problems that I have trouble attending church services. Here's my prayer:

Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus the Christ and God the Father:

O' Father who art in Heaven in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I pray thee that thou will bless this bread as the body of thee that those who receive it may receive also of thee the remission of sins of thy Grace, Peace, Power and Glory.

O' Father who art in Heaven in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I pray thee that thou will bless this wine as the blood of thee that those who receive it may receive also of thee the remission of sins of thy Grace, Peace, Power and Glory.

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Very god Devin. Is this a prayer you created?

Ken Rank said:

... We also take the time to reflect at what each element means.

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I think this is very important. Looking at 1 Corin 11 where Paul says:
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Now for the first few decades of my Christian walk I believed the common position that interpreted this to mean:
"Do not take communion if you have unconfessed sin. If you do you could get sick and even die..."

I think the meaning is controlled by the phrase:

"...he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."

Which means if you do not comprehend (discern) what the wine and bread represent, then taking it is meaningless. The judgement remains upon you. Not a new judgement, but the same judgement that exists upon all who do not believe.

Reminds me of the epistle to the Hebrews where Paul said:

Hebrews 10:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

I think when we take communion without understanding the meaning of the blood and the body, we essentially are counting them blood and the body as unholy, and the condemnation remains on us. You can drink wine until it makes you giddy and eat bread till you are stuffed... it does you know good in the redemption department.

RDKirk said:

Is your congregation not willing to send someone to your home to have communion with you in those circumstances? Other congregations I've been a member of have had ministries to do that very thing.

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Also something to consider. Thanks

devin553344 said:

Yes I wanted to honor God and so I read the bible and what communion was all about. That's how I decided on the prayer, but I'm totally open to suggestions for improvement

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If this is from the heart...then I don't think it could be improved upon. Bless the Lord.

devin553344 said:

I prayed to God, and was inspired to give myself communion. I could ask for the church to send people, but I don't really want to bother them. People are busy now days and I don't feel it's a problem to give myself communion, it invites the holy spirit into my home.

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We pray and remember the words of Jesus... "whenever two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them..."
So there is that. Of course since Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us... so you would not need more than one.

BrotherD said:

Partaking of the
Lord's Supper

Read
1 Corinthians 11:20-33

I pray and examine myself. If there are faults to confess, then I confess them. There have been a few times when I did not take communion, I do not remember the particulars as to why I did not, but communion is nothing to take lightly.

From Jesus-is-Lord.com

I turn to the account of the Lord's supper in one of the gospels (Luke 22:1-30 or Matthew 26:1-30 or Mark 14:1-26) and read aloud considering what I am reading.

I stop after reading the passage when the Lord blesses and breaks the bread. I pray and give thanks for the bread. I break it and partake of it.

I stop again likewise after reading the passage when the Lord Jesus gives thanks for the cup after supper which is the cup of the new testament in his blood which was shed for us. I pray and give thanks for the cup. I partake of it. I then finish reading the passage aloud.

Last but not least find a hymn or song to sing

I do this and i use wine or grape juice and i have tablewater crackers by Carrs

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I like this. Especially reading the passage as you proceed. You are absolutely right about not taking this lightly. It is sacred and a holy thing. I would not do it if someone in the group was not a believer and solemn.

Ken Rank said:

Respectfully... perhaps according to tradition. But the actual act these things are based on is a dinner (the Last Supper was a Passover meal) and wasn't exactly open to anyone. We do it at home with immediate family and something with friends and family. We also do a congregational teaching Passover meal where we do it again... and this time, in a more public setting. Though even then, it is only open to those who know and love the Lord.

Blessings.
Ken

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Usually it is just my wife and I. But I have considered inviting others who were of a mind.