What form of communion do you partake of?

[TankGirl]

Hi al!

Enjoying all the threads on communion/eucharist, and all the different points of view...

...So, just wondering what form your personal partaking of communion takes?

I attend a non-denominational fellowship, and we use matzos & fortified wine (port) or fruit juice. We have two tables near the front, and, after a time of worship, prayer & some words of scripture focussing on the meaning of communion, we are invited to come forward and share the bread and wine with each other.

Everyone who feels right with the Lord, and desires to can join in, including the children. We usually serve each other, with a few words about the relevance of what we are doing.

So how do you remember our Lord's sacrifice?

No debate, please - no-one is better than anyone else!

 

[Tonks]

The one that involves the literal Body and Blood of Christ.

 

[Iollain]

We have about the same think as you TankGirl, lots of Bible verses are stated, and this Pastor that we have now always gets very excited about it and says, 'Next time we have this could be with the Lord!'

 

[TankGirl]

The one that involves the literal Body and Blood of Christ.

That's cool, Tonks. I have little experience of Catholicism/Orthodoxy - what form does the Communion service take? What do you find especially uplifting about it?

I love the intimacy, the serving each other, and the children hearing about Christ's sacrifice and it's personal implications for them.

I am interested in what other people find especially personal and wonderful about sharing in the remembrance of our Lord's awesome sacrifice!

Thank you for your response.

 

[TankGirl]

We have about the same think as you TankGirl, lots of Bible verses are stated, and this Pastor that we have now always gets very excited about it and says, 'Next time we have this could be with the Lord!'

That's wonderful! What a joy that will be - I can hardly imagine...

 

[Lynn73]

We take communion every week and it consists of a small crackerlike wafer and some grape juice. You can either take it right away as it's passed or hold the elements and pray til you're ready. Sometimes we hold til the whole congregation has been served and take it toghether while after singing "on the night you were betrayed you took the bread" then "on the night you were betrayed you held the cup.

 

[ThePilgrim]

Hi al!

Enjoying all the threads on communion/eucharist, and all the different points of view...

...So, just wondering what form your personal partaking of communion takes?

I attend a non-denominational fellowship, and we use matzos & fortified wine (port) or fruit juice. We have two tables near the front, and, after a time of worship, prayer & some words of scripture focussing on the meaning of communion, we are invited to come forward and share the bread and wine with each other.

Everyone who feels right with the Lord, and desires to can join in, including the children. We usually serve each other, with a few words about the relevance of what we are doing.

So how do you remember our Lord's sacrifice?

No debate, please - no-one is better than anyone else!

In our Church, the Eucharist/Communion is the center of the service.

After the Liturgy of the Word (where there are the Scripture readings and the Sermon), we begin the Liturgy of the Faithful, in which everyone shares the greeting of peace ("Christ is among us!" "He is and ever shall be") and then all recite the Symbol of the Faith (Nicene Creed) together.

Then, after more prayers we have the Epiclesis, in which the Holy Spirit is called upon to make the bread and the wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Then, we all pray the Lord's Prayer, chant a few more hymns, and then say the Precommunion Prayers ("I believe, O Lord, and I confess...").

Then, while communion hymns are being chanted, everyone crosses their arms over their chest, and then forms a line to receive the Eucharist. The Eucharist is distributed by the priests and deacons. We receive the Eucharist on a spoon, everyone from the same spoon.

It's really beautiful and reverent I love it.

Grace and peace,
John

 

[TankGirl]

We take communion every week and it consists of a small crackerlike wafer and some grape juice. You can either take it right away as it's passed or hold the elements and pray til you're ready. Sometimes we hold til the whole congregation has been served and take it toghether while after singing "on the night you were betrayed you took the bread" then "on the night you were betrayed you held the cup.

That sounds similar to us, and lovely! I do LOVE the serving each other & the sharing.

 

[Tonks]

That's cool, Tonks. I have little experience of Catholicism/Orthodoxy - what form does the Communion service take? What do you find especially uplifting about it?

I love the intimacy, the serving each other, and the children hearing about Christ's sacrifice and it's personal implications for them.

I am interested in what other people find especially personal and wonderful about sharing in the remembrance of our Lord's awesome sacrifice!

Thank you for your response.

The actual rubrics of what happens - the steps the faithful take to receive? I just want to make sure that I'm answering the correct question....lol.

 

[TankGirl]

In our Church, the Eucharist/Communion is the center of the service.

After the Liturgy of the Word (where there are the Scripture readings and the Sermon), we begin the Liturgy of the Faithful, in which everyone shares the greeting of peace ("Christ is among us!" "He is and ever shall be") and then all recite the Symbol of the Faith (Nicene Creed) together.

Then, after more prayers we have the Epiclesis, in which the Holy Spirit is called upon to make the bread and the wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Then, we all pray the Lord's Prayer, chant a few more hymns, and then say the Precommunion Prayers ("I believe, O Lord, and I confess...").

Then, while communion hymns are being chanted, everyone crosses their arms over their chest, and then forms a line to receive the Eucharist. The Eucharist is distributed by the priests and deacons. We receive the Eucharist on a spoon, everyone from the same spoon.

It's really beautiful and reverent I love it.

Grace and peace,
John

Thank you SO much for that lovely description. It is something quite alien to me, but I feel I can picture what it must be like, and understand why the reverence appeals to you.

 

[The Prokeimenon!]

In our Church, the Eucharist/Communion is the center of the service.

After the Liturgy of the Word (where there are the Scripture readings and the Sermon), we begin the Liturgy of the Faithful, in which everyone shares the greeting of peace ("Christ is among us!" "He is and ever shall be") and then all recite the Symbol of the Faith (Nicene Creed) together.

Then, after more prayers we have the Epiclesis, in which the Holy Spirit is called upon to make the bread and the wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Then, we all pray the Lord's Prayer, chant a few more hymns, and then say the Precommunion Prayers ("I believe, O Lord, and I confess...").

Then, while communion hymns are being chanted, everyone crosses their arms over their chest, and then forms a line to receive the Eucharist. The Eucharist is distributed by the priests and deacons. We receive the Eucharist on a spoon, everyone from the same spoon.

It's really beautiful and reverent I love it.

Grace and peace,
John

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

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 

[ThePilgrim]

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

Speaking of which, how are your little ones doing? You guys are always in my prayers.

 

[TankGirl]

The actual rubrics of what happens - the steps the faithful take to receive? I just want to make sure that I'm answering the correct question....lol.

HeHe! I kind of asked two question there, didn't I?

Yes, the "mechanics", but also what about it that touches you the most.

 

[TankGirl]

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

That's one of the things I love best too! Even when they're too young to fully grasp the meaning, they are hearing the words, and seeing the importance we place upon it, and are feeling included in the family. What a joy!

 

[The Prokeimenon!]

Speaking of which, how are your little ones doing? You guys are always in my prayers.

Good, thank God. We're more than halfway through the pregnancy, so don't stop praying for all 4 of us!

Okay- back to topic

Rdr Moses

 

[Melethiel]

Every Sunday, after the Liturgy of the Word. Basically goes Creed ~ Peace ~ Hymn ~ Great Thanksgiving ~ Hymn ~ Words of Institution ~ Lord's Prayer. Then each row in turn goes to the front where they kneel at the altar rail to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

 

[Tonks]

HeHe! I kind of asked two question there, didn't I?

Yes, the "mechanics", but also what about it that touches you the most.

Ah, I see what you're saying....I won't go through the entire Order of the Mass as it is too long (plus I'm speaking of the Tridentine <Latin Mass> for shorthand.)

Similar to the EO, Communion / Eucharist is the centerpiece (indeed the point of) the Mass. All below is actually peformed in Latin, not English and the priest / severs / choir are stating most.

The Mass of the Faithful (as opposed to the Mass of the Catechumens - where the Gospel etc takes place) is divided into four parts. The Offertory where the priest presents the bread and wine, the Canon (The Holy Ghost, through His priest acting in Persona Christi, changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, Who is offered to the Father for the remission of sins), Communion and then Prayers After Communion

The Offertory

The Offertory prayers begin with the priest uncovers the chalice. Then he places the unconsecrated host on the paten, and offers it stating:

O God, + (Sign of the Cross) Who in creating man didst exalt his nature very wonderfully and yet more wonderfully didst establish it anew; by the Mystery signified in the mingling of this water and wine, grant us to have part in the Godhead of Him Who hath deigned to become a partaker of our humanity, Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God. World without end. Amen.

The wine is offered and there are prayers over the chalice etc. The priest blesses incense and then blesses the bread and wine with incense. There is some more washing of the fingers and blessings / prayers and then a Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity is said:

Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee in memory of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ; and in honor of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, of blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of these and of all the Saints. To them let it bring honor, and to us salvation, and may they whom we are commemorating here on earth deign to plead for us in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

More prayers and then the Orate Fratres



The Canon

We pray for the Church, the Living, to Invoke the Saints. Prayers prior to actual consecration.

To briefly describe the consecration:

Taking the host in his hands the priest says:

Who, the day before He suffered , took bread into His Holy and venerable hands, and having lifted up His eyes to heaven, to Thee, God, His Almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, blessed it +, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take and eat ye all of this. For this is my body (priest genuflects and adores the Sacred Host). He elevates the host for the faithful to venerate.

This continues on likewise for the wine (I've left quite a bit out including some of the actions etc).

There are prayers after consecration to Offer the Victim, to ask Go to accept our offering, for blessings, for the dead, and for eternal happiness.

To Offer the Victim the priest says:

And now, O Lord, we, Thy servants, and with us all Thy holy people, calling to mind the blessed Passion of this same Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, likewise His Resurrection from the grave, and also His glorious Ascension into heaven, do offer unto Thy most sovereign Majesty out of the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us...a Victim + which is pure, a Victim + which is holy, a Victim + which is spotless, the holy Bread + of life eternal, and the Chalice + of everlasting Salvation.

Communion
Then the Our Father, the breaking of the Sacred Host and then Prayers for Holy Communion: prayer for peace and fidelity, for holiness, for grace. The priest takes communion and then the people do at the altar rail.

Kneeling, when we receive the Host, the priest will whisper to us the words below as he makes a Sign of the Cross with the Host:

Corpus Dómini nostri Jesu Christi custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam æternam. Amen

(May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting. Amen.)

 

[Lynn73]

That sounds similar to us, and lovely! I do LOVE the serving each other & the sharing.

Sometimes my husband and I are asked to help pass out the communion.

 

[ThePilgrim]

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

 

[Eruliel]

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