On the night Jesus began his journey to the cross, just before the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus celebrated the Jewish Passover with his disciples (see Matthew 26: 26-29 and I Corinthians 11: 23-27). During the ritual meal, Jesus took the bread and the cup and announced a new covenant relationship through his sacrifice on behalf of all those estranged from God.
Since the earliest days of the church 2000 years ago, Jesus followers have incorporated this sacred meal into their worship. Different traditions call this sacrament by different names (Communion, Lord's Supper, Eucharist). In all traditions, it functions as a deeply spiritual moment of thanksgiving, remembrance and participation in God's gracious, saving work in Jesus Christ.
When a person participates in Communion by partaking of the bread and the cup, she or he is spiritually brought into the presence of Christ to receive God's gracious gifts: forgiveness, peace, strength, and equipping for a missional life lived for and through others.
Who Is This For?
Coming to Jesus' table is not a right conferred only on the worthy, but a privilege given by God to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance and love. Any Jesus follower who prepares to receive communion through confession of spiritual brokenness and trust in Jesus for cleansing and renewal is invited to participate, even if they are struggling with doubt and having difficulties living life faithfully. Also, Jesus followers from all denominations are welcome to fully participate in communion at Vine.
Can I choose not to take part?
No one should feel compelled to take part in, or excluded from this experience. Feel free to use this time to meditate on God or pray, write your reflections or create artistically in your worship guide, pray for the people around you, or simply take all of it in with your senses.
What about children?
There is no set rule for all children dictating when they can participate in communion. Remember, children understand spiritual things in their own, deep ways (Matt. 18:2-5). This decision is up to the parents, but they are encouraged to talk it over as a family beforehand.
So, what do I do?
- Listen and watch carefully in the beginning to the words and actions of the pastor as communion is explained, prayed, and demonstrated.
- Pray, observe, and encourage your neighbor.
For Times When The Community Comes Forward
- When invited by the pastor, participants from each seating section leave their seats and come to the nearest of the three pairs of elders holding a loaf of bread and a cup of grape juice. Form a line and move forward one by one.
- When your turn comes, tear off a piece of bread from the loaf, then immediately dip a tip of the piece of bread into the cup of grape juice. Prayerfully eat the bread, and return to your seat.
For Times When The Community Gathers in Clusters
- When invited by the pastor, participants gather around the nearest elder with a tray of elements in clusters of no more than 20 people.
- Take a piece of bread when the basket is offered to you, then pass the basket to the next person. Hold the bread until the pastor invites everyone to partake together.
- Take a cup of juice from the tray when it is offered to you. Do not drink from the cup until everyone has one and the pastor invites everyone to partake together. Return the empty cup to the elder.
