What form of communion do you partake of?

[lmnop9876]

in my Church, the Table is in the centre of the Church, in front of the pulpit, the bread and wine are on the Table. we sing a psalm as we go to the front few rows of the church. then the minister reads the words of institution, and prays for the blessing of the bread and wine by the Holy Spirit that we may partake of Christ's Body and Blood. the pastor then says, "This is my Body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." we then share a common loaf, which is passed around to everyone by a deacon or presbyter. the same is done for the cup, the pastor says "This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me," and we share a common cup of wine. the minister then prays again to thank God for the sacrament, then we sing another psalm, then the minister gives the benediction.

 

[katherine2001]

Also, Holy Communion is given to young and old. Since babies are baptised and chrismated (confirmed), they also receive holy communion. It's a beautiful thing to see parents bringing their babies to receive Christ.

Rdr Moses

It is beautiful to see all the babies and young children receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord. The young babies who don't have teeth yet just receive a little of the Blood, but after they get teeth, they receive both elements. The Orthodox use wine that has hot water added to it (the hot water represents the Holy Spirit) and a yeast bread that has no oil. It is a round loaf that has a seal in the middle. Just the portion of the bread with the seal is used for Communion (it is called the "lamb" and while the priest is cutting it, he recites the Scriptures about His crucifixion and the knife the priest uses to cut it is called a "spear"). As the priest cuts pieces for each member of the congregation, he prays for them. As others have said, we receive both elements and after the priests and deacons receive, the bread is put in the chalice with the wine and it is then given to communicants in a spoon (the priest kind of drops it in your mouth).

It is amazing to see how the small babies get so used to receiving communion each week that soon they know to open their mouths as soon as they see the spoon. The mothers with babies and small children receive communion first and then the adults. While people are receiving, the choir is singing "Receive the Body of Christ, taste the fountain of immortality." We believe that to receive the Body of Christ is to receive Immortality--we receive life itself through it and receive remission of our sins among many other things. Christ nourishes us with Himself so that we can become like Him.

 

[alaurie]

Anyone who's been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost is allowed to partake. The only ones who don't partake are the infants simply because they can't ingest solid food. They're usually blessed.

Our table consists of very large, home made unleavened bread wafers based on ingredients found in unleavened bread during Jesus' time. The wine is brought in from California from a monestary with vineyards. It's sanctified with Holy water and you can take by intinction or ingestion of the bread and then wine.

Precursing the eucharist are the prayers of intercession, the lords prayer and the prayer for repentance of sins. It's nice to have prayer for repentance because you don't feel like you're rushing to get every sin in that you've committed during the week. It blankets them all, and gets you ready to meet the Lord.

My favorite part is when we partake and when we say "The Lord is here, His spirit is with us. We lift up our hands to the Lord. It is right to give him thanks and praise." The thought that Jesus is with us when we partake of communion is a bone chilling prospect, that when you go up to kneel infront of the altar you're kneeling before the very throne of God. You're before God and you're eating with him, you're fellowshiping with him. And then you think about everyone who's partaking of communion around the world at that very moment.

Yeah you're in eternity during communion and it's fantastic. It's also nice to observe that once you're done with communion that is what your spirit had been craving for all week long, and you didn't know until you've sat down.
Slainte!
Eruliel

Beautiful description, Eruliel. And yes, our spirits crave him! It's sad that at my church we observe communion once a month.

Our pastor also breaks a loaf of bread. We all take a bit and use unfermented grape juice. We kneel at the front of the sanctuary to take communion and we're free to continue kneeling in prayer. The congregation not at the kneelers sing communion appropriate hymns.

I'm not a good enough writer to describe all that communion means to me. Individual and corporate worship, singing and prayer are wonderful, but to take communion and be in the presence of Jesus with others of his body is a forshadowing of heaven to me. I hope Methodists eventually follow John Wesley's urging to offer and take communion as often as possible!

And all are welcome at the Lord's table ...it's his, not ours.

 

[TankGirl]

By the way, thanks for this thread

It's a nice read, and a good break from the hostilities present on other threads...

Grace and peace,
John

Thank you!

I was hoping it would be a loving and kind place to share, but I have to say, reading through all these posts this morning, I'm moved by all the beautiful description, and in awe of the unity we share, despite the differences in style.
"Because we are all one body, so we all share in one bread".

Praise God!

 

[prodromos]

The Orthodox use wine that has hot water added to it (the hot water represents the Holy Spirit) and a yeast bread that has no oil. It is a round loaf that has a seal in the middle

The loaf of bread is baked by a member of the congregation. More than one loaf is provided by various members but only one is used for Holy Communion. The other loaves are blessed and cut up into pieces for distribution to those who did not receive Communion at which point it is known in Greek as "antidoron" (instead of the gift).

John

 

[BigNorsk]

In my congregation we take Communion in the pews, this allows us to wait for each other and all take at the same time. Our service also includes a time where people share what the Lord has been doing in their lives and some people request a verse from a favorite hymn of theirs. It's all very intimate.

Marv

 

[Catherineanne]

that when you go up to kneel infront of the altar you're kneeling before the very throne of God. You're before God and you're eating with him, you're fellowshiping with him. And then you think about everyone who's partaking of communion around the world at that very moment.

Yeah you're in eternity during communion and it's fantastic. It's also nice to observe that once you're done with communion that is what your spirit had been craving for all week long, and you didn't know until you've sat down.
Slainte!
Eruliel

I agree with this. I always find the Eucharist a great blessing, because it brings me into connection with the people around me in church, and also with the Communion of Saints, and the whole company of heaven. Sometimes you can feel them beside you at the altar rail.

I do not manage to take part very often, because of health reasons, but it is always a great privilege. However, this is a good year and I have already managed once. Once at Christmas (which was the only time last year), and once on Easter Tuesday this year. Which is very good.

Anyone who can do so every week, or more often, should thank God for being able to. If I could, I would take Communion every day, but at present this is not within my reach.

 

[ThePilgrim]

In my congregation we take Communion in the pews, this allows us to wait for each other and all take at the same time. Our service also includes a time where people share what the Lord has been doing in their lives and some people request a verse from a favorite hymn of theirs. It's all very intimate.

Marv

This is in a Lutheran congregation? Of what Synod?

Curiousity

 

[InnerPhyre]

As the Orthodox position was already explained, I'll just post a pic. Here is the pic of my first Holy Communion

 

[Melethiel]

This is in a Lutheran congregation? Of what Synod?

Curiousity

Marv be Lutheran Brethren.

 

[ThePilgrim]

Marv be Lutheran Brethren.

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