Lord's Supper

Lord's Supper (or Communion)

• You will note that 'Communion/Lord's Supper' will appear in the Running Plan on occasion. It's helpful for our church family to share communion reflective of the way Jesus did with his disciples, and honours the way that the Apostle Paul instructed the church in his first letter to Corinth (11:17-34).

• In communion we both look back (recognising Jesus death and resurrection) and forward (acknowledging our hope for Jesus return).

• It may be helpful as the gathering leader to contact the person rostered on to do the set-up to ensure it is set-up the way that you would like and when in the gathering.

• The Lord's Supper itself will be led by an ordained member of our church family.

• Make sure you have people to set up communion

For those setting up communion - we use gluten free bread or crackers (so that we can 'all share in the one bread'). You may find sourcing Rice Crackers (Woolie's brand; Sakata Brand) or Broadman Church Supplies 'Communion Bread Gluten Free' (from Koorong). Please use non-alcoholic grape juice.

Lord's Supper Part 1

This part can be done by the Gathering Leader. It should be placed after the Bible Talk, followed by the a song in the gathering where people collect the bread and juice, followed then by 'Lord's Supper Part 2'

The Gathering Leader can introduce the Lord's Supper using the words below, then invite people to come and get the bread and juice while we sing, after which the minister leads people in communion.

Explanation

When we share the Lord's Supper together we remember what Jesus did for us in giving us life by dying on the cross and we acknowledge his coming return. We should share in this supper both solemnly and thankfully.

For that reason, it is worth deeply considering what we do when we share in this supper - for we are called to take stock of how we stand before the Lord and whether he would see us living obediently under his grace.

In calling people to himself Jesus said: 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.' (Matt 11:28-30)

As we share this meal, we join with Christians around the world and across the ages who recognise the burden that Jesus carried for us and the rest that he offers to us.

In faith, we give thanks to God for his salvation in Christ.

And so as sinners, we ask God for forgiveness. Let us take a moment, to reflect, and then confess our wrongdoing.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have gone our own way,
not loving you as we ought,
nor loving our neighbour as ourselves.
We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed
and in what we have failed to do.
We deserve your condemnation.
Father, forgive us.
Help us to love you and our neighbour,
and to live for your honour and glory;
though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The great news, is that in mercy God promises forgiveness to all who turn to him in true faith.

He pardons and sets us free from our sins.

May he strengthen us to do his will, and keep us in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Instructions about Lord's Supper

1. All welcome - to those who have a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Mechanics:

a) All the bread we use is gluten free and all the drink we use is non-alcoholic juice.

b) Explain how people should/will receive the bread and juice (e.g. seated, or standing, or coming to the front etc). Hold the elements. We will eat and drink at the same time.

Lord's Supper Part 2

This part is done by licensed clergy member and occurs after the song when bread and juice has been collected. 

Lift up your hearts

   We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

   He is worthy of all praise.

You are worthy our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things making us in your own image.

We praise you for your son, our saviour Jesus Christ, who by his death on the cross and rising to new life, offered the one true sacrifice for sin and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people.

So we lift our voices to praise you saying:

    Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

And now, gracious Father, we thank you for these gifts of bread and juice, and pray that we who receive them, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, according to a Saviour's word, in remembrance of his suffering and death, may share in his body and blood.

On the night before he died, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and give it to his disciples saying: 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me' (Lk 22:19).

After supper, he took the cup, and again giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples saying: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you' (Lk 22:20)

We gather to eat the bread and drink the cup,

    to proclaim our fellowship in his death.

We do this until he returns.

     Come Lord Jesus!

Father, as we recall Christ's saving death and glorious resurrection, may we who share these gifts be renewed by your Holy Spirit.

Bread:

'Eat this bread in remembrance of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, keep your body and soul for everlasting life. Amen'

or

'Take and eat, in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.'

Juice:

'Drink this in remembrance of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was poured out for you, keep your body and soul for everlasting life. Amen'

or

'Drink this cup in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for you, and be thankful'

Closing Prayer

Father, we give you thanks and praise that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us in this hope; so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name. Amen.