An Order for the Service of Holy Communion Covenant Book of Worship, pages 111119.

CALL TO COMMUNION Careful attention should be given to the transition from the Service of the Word [the first part containing the reading of the Scriptures, the sermon, the hymns and anthems, and prayers] to the Service of the Table [the actual celebration of Holy Communion]. The sermon on a Communion Sunday should lead naturally to the sacrament. The invitation to receive the sacrament may be given from the pulpit. It is now our sacred privilege to celebrate the sacrament of the Lords Supper. All that humbly put their trust in Christ and desire his help that they may lead a holy life; all that are truly penitent for their sins and would be delivered from them; all that walk in love with their neighbors and intend to live a new life, following the commandment of God and walking from henceforth in his holy ways, are invited to draw near with faith and to take this holy sacrament. The elements may be placed on the table prior to the service or representatives of the congregation may bring the peoples offerings of bread and wine to the table together with the tithes and offerings. The people stand while the offerings are presented. During the singing of a hymn or anthem the presiding minister goes to the table and uncovers the elements. The diaconate shall be seated in their accustomed places. Both this service and the one following indicate a separate action for taking the elements and for breaking the bread and pouring the cup. As an alternate, the bread may be broken and the cup poured during the Words of Institution rather than as a separate action. INVITATION TO THE LORDS SUPPER Friends: This is the joyful feast of the people of God! Many will come from east and west and from north and south and sit at table in the Kingdom of God. This is the Lords table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.

According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Or: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, invites us anew to the Holy Communion, through which he will give himself to us and lead us into a deeper fellowship with one another. Jesus says: Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Or: Come to this sacred table, not because you must, but because you may; come to testify not that you are righteous, but that you sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ, and desire to be his true disciples; come not because you are strong, but because you are weak; not because you have any claim on the grace of God, but because in your frailty and sin you stand in constant need of his mercy and help; come, not to express an opinion, but to seek his presence and pray for his Spirit. AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The congregation shall stand and may remain standing through the Words of Institution. On occasion, the Nicene Creed may be used. Hymnal, No. 784 The minister shall say: Let us confess our faith in the words of the Apostles Creed. I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hades; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. [or] I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was

crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven; and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. WORDS OF INSTITUTION The minister shall say: Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ as they are delivered by the Apostle Paul: The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread: Here the minister takes the bread. And when he had given thanks he broke it and said: This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying: Here the minister takes the cup. This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords death until he comes. The congregation says or sings: His death we proclaim. His resurrection we declare. His coming we await. Glory be to you, O Lord! Or: His dying we proclaim. Alleluia! Amen! His rising we declare. Alleluia! Amen! His coming we await, now as these gifts we take. Glory to God on high! Alleluia! Amen! To the tune of SPANISH HYMN. Hymnal, No. 243 Or: His dying we proclaim; his rising we declare. May Jesus Christ be praised! His coming we await, now as these gifts we take. May Jesus Christ be praised!

To the tune of LAUDES DOMINI, Hymnal, No. 37 PRAYER OF CONSECRATION Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, blest forever! To you be praise and honor for giving yourself, shedding your blood, and letting your body be broken in death for our sake, so that we might have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Bless, O God, this bread which we together eat, and the cup which we together drink. Let us through this blest bread and this blest cup become partakers of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Unite us with one another and with all your saints in heaven and on earth. Consecrate us; body and soul, to be a living, acceptable offering to you so that in word and deed we may continually praise and glorify your holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. PRAISE TO THE LAMB The congregation sings: O lamb of God, most holy, On Calvary an Offring Despised, meek and lowly, Thou in thy death and suffring, Our sins didst bear, our anguish, The might of death didst vanquish; Grant us thy peace, O Jesus! Amen. BREAKING THE BREAD Here the minister shall break the bread and say: The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. A moment of silence follows. POURING THE CUP Here the minister shall pour wine into the cup and say: The cup which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?

A moment of silence follows. Then the minister shall say: Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us. Let us keep the feast. Alleluia. Or: Christ is in our midst. He is and always will be. The diaconate now gathered about the table will be prepared to receive the gifts for distribution. SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP In giving the bread, the minister shall say: Take and eat: this is the body of Christ which is broken for you. Or: The body of Christ, the bread of heaven. In giving the cup, the minister shall say: This cup is the new covenant in the blood of Christ. Drink of it, all of you. Or The blood of Christ, the true vine. After the congregation has been served and the minister has served the diaconate, someone designated beforehand will serve the minister from the same vessels that have been used in serving the congregation. Then the minister shall say: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits. Or: Alleluia! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, has come into his Kingdom! Let us rejoice, let us be glad with all our hearts. Let us give him the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AFTER RECEIVING The minister or someone designated may offer a free prayer remembering those in the congregation who have died since the previous Communion. Or the minister may pray one of the following prayers: God our help, we thank you for this supper shared in the Spirit with your Son Jesus, who makes us new and strong, who brings us life eternal. We praise you for giving us all good gifts in him, and pledge ourselves to serve you, even as in Christ you have served us. Or: God of the ages, we praise you for all your servants who, having witnessed to you on earth, now live with you in heaven, remembering especially before you _______________. Keep us in fellowship with them until we meet with all the faithful in the joy of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the sacrament of his body and blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Following the prayer, a hymn may be sung while the elements are covered and the table is put in order. GOING FORTH The minister shall say: As therefore you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him. Let us go forth in the name of Christ. The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

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