I would like to start a dialogue concerning how we serve communion and how often we celebrate communion.
For the sake of discussion I have a couple of things I'd like feedback on.
- What would it look like if we had stations (two people holding the elements) scattered throughout the worship setting instead of up front? (10:30 service)
- What would it look like if we offered communion weekly? (either for the whole congregation or merely for those who wanted to receive it and monthly for the whole congregation).
- What would it look like to either use the current method of presenting the elements or using a chalice and loaf (intinction).
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8 comments:
Having the communion elements available every week at the cross would be wonderful. It just seems like a natural response after surrendering ourselves and meeting with God.
I think all those suggestions sound wonderful. This was the first time I have had communion in a very long time because of vacation and other things. Having a weekly reminder that Jesus died for us will only make our walk with God better during the week.
I like the way the Southern Baptist churches share communion. The Lord's Supper, as they call it, is open to all believers. Remaining in their seats, all are served the bread and partake as one body, likewise, all are served the juice and partake as one body. I like receiving monthly, however if the decision is made for weekly, we need to be vigilant that it not become ritualistic and empty.
wow, i really agree with Kristy & Brad's comment. What a wonderful presentation. I have often hoped we could have communion weekly. I have also recently considered how i could partake of the bread without harming my intestinal tract (i have celiac), and thought perhaps i could bring some special bread (withiout wheat) so that i could partake more fully.
i enjoy a long service, however, something that concerns me is the comments i fear we will begin to hear of the service running too long.
I think having communion every week may make it seem too route and could take away from the significance of it. Although having it available for anyone who would want it is not a bad idea. You also have to consider the logistics of having the elements available every single week and getting a volunteer to purchase and prepare the elements.
Perhaps we can continue to do communion monthly as we have been (where everyone gets up and goes to the tables), then have communion elements available to those who weren't there the first Sunday, or want to take it, at the cross. That way, people won't feel like they missed their opportunity and hopefully it won't become old routine....
communion never becomes routine to me.
i like the anonymous comment at 10:01. At The Cross i suppose communion could be taken at anytime during the service, especially during Praise and Worship (before & after the "sermon"), (and even during it if folks feel led?!). wow,i like this idea! It can never be wrong to allow more of the Trinity - God, Jesus & HolySpirit - into our lives and into our services can it?!
annm
Great thoughts and comments thus far. We plan to try monthly communion for the whole church and offer communion at the cross each week for those who would like to receive it!
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