The Communion focuses
the worshipper on the mystery of God's work in Christ, so people
who come to receive communion need to prepare themselves beforehand.
The form of the service is:
The ministry
of the word
This part of the service
concentrates on teaching: readings from the Bible, including a
passage from one of the Gospels, and normally a sermon. Often,
the congregation recites the Creed -- the basic statement of Christian
belief.
A more personal part of the preparation is when the congregation
confess together that they have sinned against God by doing things
they should not have and by not doing things they should have.
The president assures them of God's forgiveness.
There are also prayers of intercession for all the concerns of
the church and the world, for fellow Christians and especially
the bishop, for peace among nations and for those in need. People
known to the congregation who are sick or troubled may be prayed
for by name. Those who have died will be remembered.
The offering
The central part of the
service, it begins with the exchange of Peace in which the president
exchanges a greeting with the congregation who in turn greet each
other in friendship and as a demonstration of Christ's love which
should be present among Christians. It is an outward sign that
those who come to the Lord's table are, as the Book of Common
Prayer puts it, 'in love and charity with their neighbours'.
The bread and wine are placed on the holy table or altar, sometimes
brought there by members of the congregation in procession. A
collection may be taken of the people's offerings of money for
the work of the church.
The Distribution
The service then approaches
its climax. The president gives thanks to God for his gifts and
especially for the gift of his Son. He uses Jesus' own words at
the Last Supper and prays for the coming of the Holy Spirit. It
is a very holy moment as the congregation joins silently in the
prayer before the president invites them to partake of the bread
and wine.
Immediately before or after receiving the sacrament, the president
and congregation will say the prayer Jesus taught us: "Our
Father ...".
The Sending Out
The service ends with
prayers of thankfulness, a commitment to living the Christian
way of life in the world, a blessing and the dismissal which calls
upon those that have received God's love and grace to take it
out, sharing it with those they meet.
The service may be said
or can be accompanied with songs, hymns and a time of praise.
This can be a simple service or can involve choirs, music groups,
organ and keyboard. The basic structure is always the same and
the blessing one receives by being a part is never diminished.
If you would like to find
out about receiving communion at St Editha's, please contact a
member of the ministry team or the church office.