Holy Communion will be part of our online worship experience on September 13 and the second Sunday of the month through the fall (October 11 and November 8).
For many months, we have had the blessing of worshipping together even though we are physically apart. Since it has been so long since we have been able to worship together in person, and since it is still unclear when it will be safe to worship together in person again, we have decided to join the growing number of congregations which provide the option of sharing Holy Communion during our online worship.
Here is how it will work:
- Those who would like to receive communion during the online worship are asked to make preparations in advance by gathering some form of bread or cracker as well as a small amount of wine or juice (or, if not available, any beverage).
- During worship, after the Prayers of Intercession, a pastor will say the Words of Institution and all will pray the Lord’s Prayer.
- Then communion will be shared.
- If you are worshiping with others, each person in turn will give the bread to another and say the words, “the body of Christ, given for you.” Then, each person in turn will give the wine or juice to another and say the words, “the blood of Christ, shed for you.”
- If you are worshiping alone, you will take the bread and say, “the body of Christ, given for you” before eating the bread. In the same way, you will take the wine or juice and say the words, “the blood of Christ, shed for you” before drinking.
- Anyone who prefers to not participate in Holy Communion in this way is welcome to take those few moments for silent prayer.
We hope this will be a meaningful experience for all worshipers.
Please contact the pastors or deacon if you have any questions about this.