Holy Communion

Since earliest times, Christians have shared in 'the breaking of bread' or Holy Communion. This recalls Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, on the night of his arrest.

On this occasion, Jesus, in a traditional Jewish way, interpreted some elements of the meal as having symbolic significance. But instead of relating them to the past, he linked them to what God was doing now, through him.

He took bread and wine and blessed them, and shared them with his disciples, saying 'this is my body', and 'this is my blood.'

After his death and resurrection, Jesus' disciples went on breaking bread together when they worshipped. This custom became the sacrament of Holy Communion.

This sacrament is an act of worship in which we share ordinary material things (bread and wine - the latter is always non-alcoholic in a Methodist Church). Through God's grace, the bread, the wine and the gathered people come to embody the transcendent love of God in Christ.

 John Wesley encouraged Methodists to share in Holy Communion regularly. It is a feast in which we encounter Christ present with us now. It is one of the most important ways in which we learn, over time, what it means to be a Christian disciple. And we learn through being nourished and fed.

The service of Holy Communion is celebrated at the end of a service, as part of the service.

At Banner Cross Methodist Church we take the bread and wine in a number of ways.

Sometimes we remain seated and the bread is brought to us. We hold it until everyone has received a piece and then we eat it together. Similarly the wine is brought round in glasses and everyone drinks it together.

At other times we walk out to the front and receive it individually. The bread and wine may be served separately or the bread may be dipped in the wine. The minister will give instructions before the bread and wine are distributed. There is no compulsion in this service to partake of the bread and wine. If you do not want to just tell the Communion Steward when it is offered.