| Holy Communion (Eucharist) |
Holy Communion (Eucharist) is celebrated every week: at 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Sundays, at 11:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays, and at both services on fifth Sundays. We also celebrate the Eucharist every Wednesday morning, at 9:30am, in the Sanctuary.
 Following the Prayer of Confession and words of Pardon and Absolution, the Passing of the Peace is a time to greet your neighbors with a handshake and to exchange the Peace of Christ. You generally will be greeted with the words "Peace be with you" - you may respond with the same words, or a simple "Good morning" will not be found to be out of place. The Peace is followed by the Offertory, and during the singing of the Doxology ("Praise God from whom all blessings flow...") the Elements (bread and wine) are processed to the Communion Table by the acolytes.
The Great Thanksgiving (the word Eucharist is from the Greek for "Thanksgiving") includes the blessing and fraction of the Elements by the Pastor, and is followed by the Lord's Prayer ("Forgive us our trespasses..."). Our worship leaders are served Communion, and then the Invitation to partake of the Lord's Supper is extended to the congregation. The Table of the Lord is open to all who wish to partake in faith, including children, but visitors who may feel uncomfortable participating - or whose beliefs may prohibit participation - should not feel pressured, and may simply remain seated. Not all of our members always participate. If you are unable to stand to come forward to receive Communion, but would like to receive the Elements at your seat, please tell one of our ushers prior to the beginning of the Service, so that they can relay the information to the Pastor or Liturgist.
We receive Communion by "intinction" or "dipping": following the invitation, five stations are in |
place, each consisting of one person serving the bread, and a second the wine. One of the stations offers allergen-free wafers. The congregation goes forward by rows to the station nearest them, and receives into cupped hands a piece of bread broken from the common loaf. The bread is offered usually with words such as "The body of Christ, broken for you". As the bread is received, the appropriate response is "Amen". The cup is then offered with words such as "The blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation" or "The blood of Christ, shed for you". Again the response is "Amen"; the bread is dipped into the wine, and the elements consumed together before returning to sit. The United Methodist Church uses the non-fermented juice of the grape, rather than wine containing alcohol. The Eucharist concludes with the congregational Prayer after the Meal.