The structure of the service follows a set pattern, and therefore it is a liturgical service. The pattern for the celebration usually starts off with ‘The ministry of the Word’, containing prayers, Bible readings, hymns, acts of confession and perhaps a sermon. The service would usually be led off with the Lord’s Prayer, which is said by the priest alone. Then, Summary of the Law (which summarises the first two commandments and stating that these two are central, “…On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”) would be said and Gospels (people stand when this is being said by the priest) and Epistles are announced, finally followed by the Nicene Creed.
The second major part of the service is the Eucharist proper; it contains the taking of the bread and wine, where the worshippers are reminded of the origins of the Eucharist. First ‘Confession and Absolution’ would be led off by the priest:
“Ye that do truly and earnestly repent your of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to almighty God meekly kneeling upon your knees.”
Followed by ‘the Comfortable words’ which is also said alone by the priest:
“Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him:
Come unto me, all that travail, and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. (Matthew 11.28)
So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3.16)
Hear also what Saint Paul saith:
This a true saying and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1.15)
Hear also what Saint John saith:
If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 2.1)”
Next is ‘the Prayer of Humble Access’, it asks “to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body and…”. After this finally comes the most important part of the service – the sharing of the bread and wine, which begins with the Eucharistic Prayer. At this point the people hug and kiss one another with the words ‘The Peace of the Lord be with you’. Once the priest has blessed the elements, he/she invites everyone to share in the spiritual meal with the words:
“Draw near with faith and receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, and his blood, which was shed for thee. Take this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in you hearts by faith with thanksgiving.” ‘The Invitation to Communion’.
Followed the people would come forward and kneel at the chancel steps before the priest say to each person, “The body of Christ,” before handing them the bread. Then, as he hands them the goblet containing the wine, he says, “The blood of Christ.” The person replies each time “Amen”. The ‘spiritual food’ would enable them to go out into the world to share the Gospel of Christ with others. (Only those people who have been confirmed are able to take part).
After sharing of the bread and wine, there is a short act of dismissal which might include the Lord’s Prayer and the Post Communion Prayer. Finally the whole service ends with the Blessing.
The frequency with which the Eucharist is celebrated is some guide to the importance that a particular church places on it. In the Church of England it is the main act of worship. It is celebrated at least once a week, every Sunday. When people receive the bread and wine, they would not stand, but kneel. This is because in the Church of England, people believe that during the service, the bread and wine turn into the actual body and blood of Christ. Each time they celebrate the Eucharist the death of Christ is actually being re-enacted on the altar, therefore it needs to be given respect.
Communion in the Baptist Church
Nonconformists’ terms for the Holy Communion are either ‘The Breaking of the Bread’, or ‘The Lord’s Supper’. The meal was a symbolic act since, by bringing together the poor and the wealthy in the Christian community, it was a practical demonstration of their unity and fellowship with each other – and with Christ. Also, quite apart from being an act of worship, this meal also served a very convenient purpose – it fed those who were hungry and needy in the Christian community. The Holy Communion is not as a significant act of worship in the Baptist Church; therefore it is celebrated once or twice a month. The service is non-liturgical and is taken by a minister.
It begins with a confession of the people for their sins before listening to a passage from the Bible, which might describe the Last Supper Jesus had. The minister then spends a short time explaining the meaning of the passage and the importance of sharing communion together, and a collection is taken up for the needy. Then the cloth covering the bread and wine on the communion table (there is no altar) is removed. The wine is usually in separate glasses and the bread is being cut up into small squares. The bread and the wine are consecrated to God as the minister reads the words spoken by Jesus at Last Supper (“While they were eating…my blood which seals God’s covenant”).
The minister would then take the elements to the people in their seats. When the bread is given to them they eat it immediately to symbolise the Protestant belief that salvation is an individual, personal matter between Jesus and the person.
The use of ordinary bread can be taken to show that Jesus takes something ordinary and transforms it into something divine. In the same way he can take a human life and transform it if it is offered to him. But the people would drink the wine (some people who do not drink alcohol would take unfermented grapefruit juice) at the same time. This symbolises an equally important Protestant belief that the Church to which all true believers belong is one, united in fellowship with Christ.
In the Baptist Church, people do not believe that the bread and wine change during the Breaking of Bread, instead, they believe that it is only an act of memorial. For those taking part in it, the bread and wine are pointers to much more important spiritual realities. In taking, and consuming the bread and wine each person is stimulated to think about the death and resurrection of Jesus, it makes them remember.
Conclusion
The Holy Communion is a crucial part of Christian worship in all the different denominations. But however, it is celebrated very differently among all the churches, and some take it more importantly than others (e.g. it is more essential the Church of England than the Nonconformists). They all have a different understanding and interpretation of the Holy Communion, the Church of England believes Transignification whereas the Nonconformists believe it is a memorial. The Holy Communion reminds Christians of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection as recorded in the Bible and creeds.
