Receiving Communion
Note: The information below reflects our "pre-pandemic" practice. For now, as we gradually return to indoor worship, our practices have been adjusted for the time being. For example, we are administering bread only. And we ask that all who come forward to receive keep their masks in place until they return to their seats, where they may remove the mask briefly to consume the bread.
Receiving Communion
The Sacrament of Holy Communion (also known as The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist) has been precious and life-giving to Christians for 2,000 years. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. Please remember that there is no “right” way to receive. The only thing that matters is that God welcomes you and wants to feed and care for you. God is always with you, and Communion can be a way in which we are awakened more completely to this amazing reality. With that in mind, here’s how you will see most people receiving Communion here:
- We encourage you to collect yourself and pray for an open heart, anticipating that God will use this sacrament to feed or care for you in ways that you need.
- At the appropriate time, people in your row will come forward. Once you have arrived at a communion station, you may hold out your hands, with one hand supporting the other.
- The sacramental bread will be placed in your hands with words such as “The Body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven.” The usual response is, “Amen.” Having received the bread, you may consume it immediately.
- The cup of wine will then be presented to you, and you may guide the cup to your lips by gripping its base. Again, the usual response upon receiving the wine is to say, “Amen.”
- Some people might choose to dip the bread in the wine, instead of drinking. If you should choose to do that, then you would wait for the smaller cup of wine which is used solely for that purpose. You will want to be careful in this case not to let your fingers touch the wine; simply touch the tip of the bread to the surface of the wine.
If for any reason you choose not to receive Communion, you are still welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. In that case, you would cross your arms over your chest as the minister approaches you, signifying that you are there to receive a blessing only.
If you have mobility issues, please read about accessibility and receiving Communion here.