Communion @ SPD
At SPD we regularly celebrate an act of worship called ‘communion’. You may also have heard it referred to as the Eucharist or The Lord’s Supper. It dates all the way back to when Jesus shared a ‘last supper’ with his disciples, the evening before he was crucified. You can find the story of the ‘last supper’ in the Gospels in the New Testament:
- Matthew 28: 17 – 30
- Mark 14: 12 – 25
- Luke 22: 7 – 20
- John 13: 1 – 30
You can also read about how the very first Christian communities celebrated Communion in St Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Christians: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
​
Why Bread and Wine?
Bread is a symbol for Jesus body and wine is a symbol for his blood. It may sound strange, but it all started when Jesus instructed his followers to use bread and wine to remember the sacrifice he was going to make when he chose to die on the cross. Jesus also called himself “the bread of life”, meaning that in some way, he nourishes us. Communion is a way of connecting with Jesus and being sustained by him.
What happens at Communion?
Before we receive the bread and wine, the congregation is guided through a series of prayers in which we recognize who God is; the gift of the Son; and our need for forgiveness. The heart of Communion however, is when remember the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples.
The person leading Communion will pray a special prayer inviting God’s Spirit to be present as we break the bread, pour the wine and receive – by faith – these earthy elements in to our bodies as one Body. It is a profound act of worship that honors the material world of ‘stuff’ (bread, wine & human bodies) whilst also honoring the mystery of faith and the invisible work of grace in our lives and in our community.
Whilst Communion at SPD will be done in a relaxed, informal, and joyful way, it should also be done reflectively and reverently - recognizing that we are sharing a holy moment of communion with
God and each other.
If you are baptized or take the bread & wine in your church tradition, we invite you to receive the bread and wine (gluten free wafers are available – just ask) but if you’re not sure, please come to the Table but ask for a blessing instead and we would love to pray a short prayer with you.
If you have any questions about Communion, Baptism, Confirmation, or belonging to our church family, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: vicar@stpaulsdaybrook.co.uk or hello@stpaulsdaybrook.co.uk.