Walking Through the Communion Service

This series of articles is intended as a running commentary on the Communion service. They might be read before attending the service by someone who is totally new to this form of worship; but, more likely, they will be best used as an aide-memoir to our understanding of, and participation in the Eucharist.  Perhaps they will help people to focus on different aspects of the Service at different times – a sort of “Teach Yourself” course.  However you use them, the author hopes that they will enable you to enjoy worship more, to feel a deeper participation in the worshipping community, and draw you closer to God and your neighbour.

These articles were previously published first as a series in a parish magazine, and later in booklet form in 2001.  There are several motives behind this series of articles.  Despite the many advantages of the repetitive nature of the liturgy, there is the danger that all of us become so familiar with the service that we disengage with what we are saying and doing.  Further, there are a growing number of people in our churches who are discovering or re-discovering faith, especially through the Alpha and Emmaus Courses, and who want to know and understand more about our worship. And lastly, the possibility of children of 7 years upwards being admitted to Communion causes us to question our understanding of Communion and its place in the worshipping life of the whole church.

Outline Structure of the Service
The Communion service divides itself into four main sections

• the Gathering and Preparation of the people of God ;
• the Ministry of the Word ;
• the Ministry of the Sacrament ;
• the Dismissal. 

In the articles that follow we shall look at each of these in turn; but, before doing so, we need to prepare ourselves for worship.  So take yourself back 24 hours or more before you take your place in church on Sunday morning. 

Preparing to meet God
If you have a Book of Common Prayer, try reading the Third Exhortation before the Communion service.  There you will find a wordy yet very important call to prepare carefully before we 'presume to eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup.  For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive the holy Sacrament, so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily.'   I suspect that most of us have forgotten this important part of every Communion service, namely that we have prepared ourselves properly.  In the new Common Worship, a Form of Preparation is set out that may be used either individually or corporately, thus reminding us that proper preparation is or should be our habit.  The way of preparation contains two main elements - an openness to the Holy Spirit and a strong confessional element.  Whether or not we use a set text or form of words, these two elements of preparation are essential if we are to come to church on Sunday morning ready to meet our Lord again, expectant to receive from him, and seeking his guidance for our Christian living.

In practical terms, it can be quite helpful to find a bit of space on Saturday to reflect on your experiences over the past week(s).  Think of the people you have met or been in touch with, how you have treated them and how they have treated you.  Think of what you have done and whether it has been done well or not.  Think of ways in which you have been changed by recent events whether they are family matters or things going on in the wider world.  Above all, think of ways in which you have seen God at work in your life, as well as the times when you have forgotten He is there.

If you meet on Saturday evening, for Evening Prayer for instance, try to give some of your time to pray about the worship 'tomorrow', to commend to God the people who will come, and particularly those who have the privilege and responsibility of leading the worship.  After Evening Prayer, a few people will make the church ready by preparing the altar, putting ciboria and chalices in their proper places, counting out bread and measuring out the wine, and making sure that everybody can hear through the sound system.  It sounds like preparing for a party - and in a way so it is.  And then the church is left in darkness to await the arrival of God's prepared and expectant people tomorrow.

Click here to read the next article in this series: The Gathering and Preparation .

 

 
Preface to the booklet edition and Acknowledgements
The inspiration for this booklet came from two sources; first from a booklet by the Revd. Elizabeth Culling entitled Making the Most of Communion published by Grove Books Limited in 1998 in their Spirituality Series (No. 66); and secondly, with the introduction of Common Worship , from a perceived opportunity to help ordinary worshippers to understand the structure and meaning of the service. 
The second chapter of the Grove booklet was entitled ‘A Walk-through’ the Communion Service.  Apart from the fact that this was based on the ASB Communion service , I have used the general structure of this chapter and quoted from it at various points, particularly with reference to the Eucharistic prayer and receiving Communion itself.
This booklet was originally produced as a series of articles in the Parish Magazine of St. Michael’s Church, Bishop’s Stortford.  Several members of the congregation found these articles helpful and encouraged production of them in a more accessible form; so I am indebted to them.  I am also indebted to colleagues, who have read, commented and constructively criticised the script, and have encouraged its presentation in this form.  And finally I am most grateful to one parishioner who felt passionately that this was just the sort of thing that at least one congregation needed and, as a result, generously paid for its production.

© All material copyright Revd Derek Hinge.  No part of this article may be reproduced in any format without the author’s express permission.