Our Beliefs About Holy Communion

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Like Baptism, the sacrament of Holy Communion is a sign of God’s grace present through the physical elements, offering the Gospel promise that all who come to Christ in repentance and faith receive new life in him. In Holy Communion also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist (from the Greek word for “thanksgiving”), we are invited into fellowship (koinonia) with the real, spiritual presence of Christ Jesus in the whole of the Sacrament; we participate in the communion of saints with the Church universal; and we are given a foretaste of God’s eternal banquet, the marriage supper of the Lamb.  The Sacrament may be offered to all who repent of sin and desire to draw near to God and lead a life of obedience to Christ.

Holy Communion is normally celebrated in the midst of the congregation, physically gathered to remember and respond to God’s mighty acts of salvation revealed in Holy Scripture. Local congregations are urged to ensure regular opportunities for the congregation to commune. John Wesley argued that “it is the duty of every Christian to receive the Lord's Supper as often as he can” (Sermon, “The Duty of Constant Communion”). This is because Christ commands it and we receive great benefits through it; we receive “the food of our souls.” God has given us the Lord’s Supper, according to Wesley, “that through this means we may be assisted to attain those blessings which he hath prepared for us; that we may obtain holiness on earth, and everlasting glory in heaven.” Thus, believers should partake of Holy Communion as often as they can.

Holy Communion recalls Jesus’s actions at the Last Supper: he took the bread and cup, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples. Thus, the Communion liturgy should reflect these actions by including:

• the taking/ preparation of the bread and cup;
• a time for repentance and confession of sins, including a pronouncement of pardon for sins;
• thanksgiving for the gifts about to be received;
• the words of institution, which recall Jesus’s words at the Last Supper;
• the prayer of invocation, in which the Holy Spirit is invited to make the gifts of bread and wine become for us the body and blood of Christ that we may be for the world the body of Christ;
• the breaking of the bread; and
• the distribution of the elements to all who repent of sin and desire to draw near to God and lead a life of obedience to Christ.

Those who cannot (or choose not to) receive the eucharistic elements for whatever reason are still encouraged to come forward to receive a blessing.The elements of Holy Communion may be taken to those whose condition prevents them from being physically present. We encourage the use of non-alcoholic wine or juice for Holy Communion. Non-alcoholic juice must be offered as an option where wine is used.