Lord's Supper: Holy Communion

At Trinity we want everyone to understand what God thinks about the Lord’s Supper. Sometimes Christians refer to it as “Holy Communion,” “The Sacrament of the Altar,” or “The Eucharist.”

And, we want you to be comfortable and understand both why and how we practice the Lord's Supper in our community of believers.

Simply stated, the Lord's Supper is the true body and blood of Jesus under bread and wine for Christians to eat and drink, instituted by Christ Himself.

When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, He gave us a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith.

As the Bible says, whenever we "commune" (that's how we refer to the act of receiving the Lord's Supper) we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. See 1 Corinthians 11:26.

That's why it's important that those who receive Holy Communion agree that in this act God is giving us His gift of forgiveness and faith.

Jesus. While several places in the Bible record what Jesus did on the last night of His life, Matthew tells what happened that night when Jesus shared a meal with His disciples.

"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”  And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28

Communion is for all baptized Christians who believe Jesus’ words "given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." The Bible says that unbelievers who receive Holy Communion are "eating and drinking judgement on themselves" (1 Corinthians 11:27-30) and can have severe consequences on their lives.

Holy Communion is more than a gift of God for individual Christians. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:26 that whenever we receive the Lord's Supper we do more than receive the forgiveness of sins.

When we receive the Lord’s Supper, we also make a confession of our faith to the world around us.

People who commune at Trinity share in our congregation's confession of faith. Just as people who stand and pledge allegiance to the United States flag share pledge of loyalty to our country (we wouldn’t expect a person from England to pledge themselves to the American flag), those who receive the Lord's Supper with Christians at Trinity must share in our confession of the faith.

At the time during the service to receive Holy Communion, there will be two identical stations at the front of the church. You will be instructed by an usher to stand and join the line down the aisle that is closest to the pew in which you are seated.

Gluten-free wafers are available in a chalice in between the two Pastors or Elders distributing the bread. Please take one, open the wrapper as the Pastor/Elder speaks the words to you. The wine in the Lord's Supper is served using individual cups. There is both alcohol (red) and alcohol-reduced (white) wine at both stations. If you prefer alcohol-reduced, please mention it to the communion assistant.

You may return to your seat along the side of the church after receiving the wine. There are trash receptacles located on high tables where you can deposit your used communion cup and any other trash items.

• Read and reflect on Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-18 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.

• Open the front cover of the hymnal and pray the prayers written there for before and after communion.

• Turn to page 329 to read "Christian Questions and their Answers." They will help you prepare yourself to receive the Lord's Supper.

This entire page -- and Christian Questions -- are also available in the pew and seating areas in booklet form.