Monthly, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper as the sign and seal of our communion with the crucified and risen Lord. At the designated time in the worship service, a pastor introduces the elements of communion, the bread and the cup.
Who May Receive Communion?
The pastor will invite:
all baptized adults who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior (whether or not they are members of this church)
AND
any baptized children who have been instructed in the meaning of communion to participate in the Lord’s Supper.
In the Presbyterian Church (USA), parents decide when their baptized children will receive the sacrament. As you prepare to receive this sacrament, we encourage you to confess your sin and brokenness, to seek reconciliation with God and neighbors, to trust in Jesus Christ for cleansing and renewal. Even if you have doubts or your trust is wavering, you are invited to this meal in order to be assured of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ.
The Process of Communion
You will be asked to come forward or back to the NartheX area by the center aisle as the ushers direct you. You will then move to any one of the several stations where a pastor and an elder will be serving the elements which consist of a loaf of bread and a cup filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If you prefer, we also have gluten-free wafers. Tear off a piece of bread from the loaf, dip it in the cup, eat the bread and return to your seat by the side aisles.
If you desire Communion, but prefer to remain seated, an elder will come down each of the side aisles and offer to serve you at your seat.
The Goal of Communion
Please pray that this sacrament will help you renew your commitment to worship and serve God, to love your neighbors, especially those who are difficult to love, and to participate in God’s concerns for the world.
Family Communion Sundays are celebrated the first Sundays of January, June, August & October (combined with World Communion Sunday)
During these Sundays we invite the congregation to take communion as families, specifically to invite children to join us. It is our church’s policy to invite children who have been baptized and are being taught about the meaning of communion to participate in this sacrament. It is up to parents to determine if their children are ready to take communion and if their children understand the meaning of communion. We provide a variety of resources for parents to explain the meaning of communion including a class that is taught each spring and books that are available in the Children’s Nook of the Children’s Pavilion. If you have any questions or would like additional resources, please call Kristin Leucht, (818) 790-6758 x201.
The Process of Communion for World Communion Sunday (first Sunday in October | combined with Family Communion)
You will be asked to come either forward by the center aisle or back to the NartheX as the ushers direct you. You will then move to any one of the several stations where an Elder and an International Christian Leader will be serving the elements which consist of a loaf of bread and a cup filled with non-alcoholic grape juice. If you prefer, we have gluten-free wafers available as well. Tear off a piece of bread from the loaf, hold it, and pass the loaf until everyone at your table has received the bread. In a like manner, pass the cup, dip the bread and wait until all have been served that you may all receive the sacrament together. Then the International Christian Leader will lead us in prayer, after which time you may return to your seat by the side aisles.
If you desire Communion, but prefer to remain seated, an elder will come down each of the side aisles and offer to serve you at your seat.
