We Are Fed At The Lord’s Table
Every Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in what is called “The Holy Eucharist” or “Holy Communion.” Prayers are said All people who are baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion at St. Andrew’s. After a few of the gathering sentences, you will see many people kneel, and many remain standing. Again, you may do either. Both are acceptable.
People generally come forward and stand or kneel at the altar to receive communion.
If you don’t want to receive communion that is totally fine. You can remain in your seat, or you can also come forward and cross your arms over your chest. The priest will offer you a blessing instead of communion.
If you do want to receive, please hold out your hands and the priest will put a piece of bread in your hand. Then another liturgical minister will come with the cup of wine (and it is wine!). There are few choices here. You can eat the bread when it is put in your hand and then take a sip of wine from the cup. (It is okay and actually helpful for you to touch the cup and help guide it to your mouth.) If you don’t want to drink from the cup you can also leave the bread in your hand and the person with the cup will dip the bread in the wine and then place it in your mouth. It is also totally fine to receive only the bread or only the wine; either is considered a full receiving of communion.
We Are Sent Out To Serve Christ
After everyone has received communion we all stand and say a prayer which is in your service leaflet. The priest then asks God to bless us. Another song is usually sung by everyone at this point during which the liturgical ministers may process out. At the very end we are dismissed by a deacon or priest, sent out into the world.