Communion Service Tomorrow...

[marty-eos]

Well, it took a long time however, I finally made the big step and attended church last Sunday. The service was fantastic and to my surprise my parents weren't as fussed/negative as I thought they would be.

I will admit I was a little lost trying to find the right hymn number as the reverend is fairly quiet but after the second one I knew to listen very carefully!

At the end I was welcomed to the church and given the phone number of the reverend etc. which was very nice.


However, tomorrow, it is the communion service. I am honestly nervous and thinking of giving it a miss this time as I am a complete beginner to church.

Can you offer any advice for me as to what to expect or if it would be better to avoid this service and ask someone about attending this service next Sunday?


Thanks in advance.

 

[heymikey80]

Here, most churches distribute the elements out to the pews. However, sit near the back and you should be able to observe how other people are responding. If the church is closed-communion, you'll notice some people simply passing the elements, or remaining in-pew if people walk to the front for the elements.

It's not particularly unusual for someone who's not a church member to pass on the elements. In fact to me it's a sign of respect. But in a small church it can feel strange. Sitting further back will make it less uncomfortable.

In many churches the Lord's Supper is served last, as well. It's not entirely comfortable to leave during the Supper, but depending on how close you are to the door, it may work out for you.

 

[vespasia]

If this is an Anglican church communion is normally served from the front.
You are invited to join in if you normally take communion in the church you attend but you are also invited up for a blessing if you do not or if your unsure if you should.

A good church will have no problems if you simply say your new and you have not a clue what is going on or what you should be doing. There are people called Churchwardens and Sidespeople whose job it is to ensure people have what they need to be able to join in with the service.

Often these are the people who welcome you as you enter into the church. Just ask one of them if someone can put you with another person who can help you find your way through the service.

If you get to the altar rail and do not know what to do just let the priest know you have not done this before and do not know what to do- they will not mind taking some time to help you and will probably make time to explain in more depth and to answer any questions you have after the service.

If its not an Anglican church then I am very sure those who welcome you into the service will still be happy to help you locate someone who can help you find your way through their churches service too.

[The only exception tends to be rural priests who have to race from village to village on a very tight time schedule- if this is so they tend to offer to call you and make time to meet with you later in the week].

 

[marty-eos]

Thank you both very much for taking the time to reply with such a detailed and informative answer.

I arrived 30 mins before the service to ensure I had time to speak to the reverend who once again gave me a very warm welcome. He explained exactly what happens and when I asked if I took part he replied of course.

The wine and bread were passed around the pews which made me feel more comfortable. Although this week I had a couple of neighbours beside - who I never met before - but again made me feel welcome.

Now I know I have nothing to worry about in future with regards to fitting in etc.

Thanks again for your help and God Bless.

Marty

 

[edwardfsmith]

I am very glad that you took part!

In my own church they have done this in very different ways.
When I was younger we used to kneel at the front of the church at the altar and receive the blood of Christ in little cups like shot glasses.

These days we are given the body and dip it into the blood and people file past the pastor and his aids who distribute these things.

I am an anxious person but can handle this part of worship.

Sharing the peace is a little more awkward for me. But I am working on that too!

 

[marty-eos]

I'll be honest, my biggest fear was having to go to the alter as you described above in front of everyone as this was only my second visit. As soon as the reverend explained it to me my nerves settled.

At church today, aids walked around firstly passing around the tray with the bread and then a few moments later they walked around with the wine, in those little shot style glasses.

Again, thanks very much for your help and support!

 

[parsley]

That's great; I'm glad it wasn't an awkward situation. Sometimes churches change their own practices, but it is so nice when a pastor explains it each time, in case new people are there.

Across all churches, the one thing you don't want to do is interrupt the prayer and meditation of others during communion. No cell phones, talking with friends... you probably wouldn't do that intentionally anyway.

 

[Bible2]

marty-eos said (in post #1):

However, tomorrow, it is the communion service. I am honestly nervous and thinking of giving it a miss this time as I am a complete beginner to church.

Communion is just as much for beginners as for old-timers. For John 6:53-57 shows that all believers, for their ultimate salvation, need to eat the bread of communion (Matthew 26:26) and drink the wine of communion (Matthew 26:27-29), which actually become the body and blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:27-30) in some spiritual manner (John 6:63).