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We also refer to Holy Communion also as the Lord’s Supper and The Eucharist.
There are six features of a Wesleyan/United Methodist understanding of the Lord’s Supper. They are, in no particular order, as follows:
1. It is a memorial of the sufferings and death of Christ.
Jesus said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15) and “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24). The bread and cup are signs of the suffering and the reconciling death of Christ. It represents the sufferings of Christ which are past. The Lord’s Supper sets Christ’s suffering and death in our midst to call us to repentance and to faith in Christ. And so we have a spirit of humility in Holy Communion.
2. It is a sign and means of God’s grace to all.
Christ ordained and established certain outward means for conveying His grace and love into our soul. Baptism and Holy Communion are two such means. For us, this means that Holy Communion is both a symbol and an instrument of God’s redemptive power. Received rightly, Communion is one way God leads us to grow in love and in faith in Christ; it “funnels” His grace into the life of the Church. We can experience real change. New birth and real life. We receive His love with expectancy and so we have a grateful spirit in Holy Communion.
3. It is a pledge of Heaven.
Jesus said, “I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:16). The fellowship is a foretaste of the glory which one day will become a full taste. The meal is like a piece of Heaven broken off above, a window into Heaven. And so we have a glad spirit in Holy Communion.
4. It teaches the sacrificial death of Christ.
Jesus said, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:29). Jesus saw the meal as an emblem of His own death. To call Jesus’ death a sacrifice is to emphasize that His was a death for the forgiveness (atonement) of sins, a death which He died not for Himself but for all of us. We believe we receive Communion rightly when we come with a willing spirit to receive the meal and Christ’s call upon our lives.
5. It is the great example that Christ calls us to Him and to our neighbor.
Paul said, “Our Paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:7,8). Holy Communion has new meaning when we come with a sincere spirit to follow Christ and go deeper with Him.
6. It is a reminder that Christ goes with us as we leave the table.
We are reminded that as we leave the Eucharist we do not leave His presence. Jesus appeared to His disciples and to hundreds of others after His resurrection. Having met Christ through the Supper, we are empowered for Christian living. We believe we receive a sustaining spirit that empowers us to live passionately for Jesus Christ.
Who can receive Holy Communion at Riverton?
Our Invitation says it all: “Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another.” (Hymnal, pp. 7, 12)
We practice the “open table.” This means that the Lord’s Table and any service of Holy Communion is open to members of other United Methodist congregations and to Christians from other traditions. Baptized children and adults who have not made a public profession of faith or feel they have not been converted may receive the bread and cup. Non-baptized people who respond in faith to the invitation will be welcomed and, at a future time, will be offered instruction and nurtured towards baptism. We do this because we believe a community of faith has strong impact.
No one will be turned away from the Lord’s Table because of age or mental, physical, developmental, and/or psychological or neurological capacity.
I grew up in a different church or not in church at all. Can I receive?
Yes, you can receive. We understand you may be influenced by family, friends, previous experiences or no experience. Some churches insist that children do not receive until after baptism or Confirmation. We respect the right and decision of parents who, for whatever reason, elect not to allow their children to receive Holy Communion.
You say Holy Communion is a sign and means of God’s grace. How does God’s grace work in Holy Communion?
Jesus – in the person of the Holy Spirit – is the Host of the Communion meal. We believe God’s divine grace is available to all who will come. We believe divine grace is given when a person confesses their sin, comes to Christ by faith with a sincere heart, and desires to live in peace with their neighbor. All the riches of Christ that are ours through Christ can be received and experienced at the table. Divine grace may be experienced as love, forgiveness, a nearness of the presence of Christ, joy, healing, nourishment, and assurance of faith. We acknowledge that mystery is a big part of it; too. There is an opportunity in every service for us to inwardly and silently confess our sins and receive assurance that our sins are forgiven.
What elements do you use in Holy Communion?
United Methodist congregations across America may offer both wine and juice, but Riverton offers only grape juice. Generally, we use pita or plain bread (no nuts, fruits, etc.) We hope to add a gluten-free Communion station.
Do I need to come forward to receive Holy Communion?
No. If you need to remain in your pew due to disability, caring for a child, or simple convenience, please let an usher know. We will bring the bread and cup to you.
