Holy Communion

When does Pilgrims' UCC Celebrate Holy Communion? Who may participate?

We celebrate Communion at least once a month (the first Sunday, and at other times). All who seek to lead a life following the way of Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table. You do NOT have to be a member of this church or of the UCC. Children are welcome at the Lord’s table prior to confirmation.

(Is gluten an issue? See below.)

The United Church of Christ and Communion

Some Questions & Answers

Why do some UCC churches call this sharing of bread and cup by different names such as Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, and Eucharist?

EACH OF THESE NAMES IS TAKEN from the New Testament and highlights certain facets of this sacrament's many meanings.

• Calling it "the Lord's Supper" reminds us that it is a meal instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ and hosted by him at his table whenever it takes place.
• Calling it "Holy Communion" reminds us that it is an act of the most holy and intimate sharing, making us one with Jesus Christ and part of his body, the church.
• Calling it "the Eucharist", a term taken from the New Testament Greek word meaning "thanksgiving," reminds us that giving thanks to God for all that God has done is an essential part of the meal itself.

By using different names, we acknowledge that no single name can contain the rich wealth of meaning in this sacred act.

What is meant by calling this act a sacrament?

One Confession of Faith states:

"We believe the sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian's profession and of God's love toward us. They are the means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening [bringing to life], strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper."

The term is taken from the Latin "sacramentum", which was a Roman soldier's pledge of allegiance. A sacrament is God's pledge of allegiance [love and faithfulness] to us and our answering pledge of allegiance to God.

Do UCC folk believe that the bread and wine physically or chemically change into Christ's flesh and blood in this sacrament?

Not in our "official doctrine," though some individuals may have such an understanding. Generally, we believe that the change is spiritual. They remind us that Christ gave his body and blood for us, helping us to be Christ's body in the world today, redeemed by Christ's blood. We pray that the bread and cup may make us one with Christ, "one with each other, and one in service to all the world." Generally, we believe that--rather than changes occurring in the bread and wine--the changes occur in us as we share in Christ's meal, being fed by him, feeding each other in his name, and in how we live once we've shared this meal.

I am a Christian but not UCC. Am I invited to receive Communion in a UCC church?

Yes, indeed. It is the Lord's Supper, not ours, and it is Christ who invites you. As one invitation statement puts it:

"Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another."

We do not refuse any who present themselves desiring to receive. Whether you should receive Communion with us is between you and God.

I do not wish to receive Communion because I believe that doing so might be disloyal to my religion or my denomination. May I attend a UCC service and not receive Communion?

Yes, indeed. We do not want anyone to feel unwelcome because, for whatever reason, they do not choose to receive Communion. Simply remain seated when others go forward, or pass the bread and cup along if they are passed to you, and no one will question what you do.

You may also wish to check with someone in your home church or someone here at Pilgrims' (or click on the "Other UCC Links" tab, to the left of this page). The UCC is in full communion with a large number of other denominations and in reciprocal agreements with several others--so, in effect, Pilgrims' is one "local option" for these denominations in this area. In these cases you may discover that there is no theological, moral, or liturgical impediment to your participation; however, we believe it is your decision and we honor it.

Should I receive Communion if I feel unworthy?

Two thousand years ago Jesus ate with sinners and those whom others scorned. He still does. None of us is worthy, except by God's grace. Thank God we don't have to earn worth in God's eyes by our goodness or our faith. Your sacred worth, and ours, is God's free gift. No matter what you have done, or what your present condition, if you want Christ in your life you are welcome at his table. Communion provides the opportunity for you to confess your sins, to receive forgiveness and to indicate your intention to lead a new life.

May young children receive Communion?

Certainly. As one "Book of Worship" puts it,

"All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children, are invited to receive the bread and cup."

We believe this is an issue best worked out by parents with their children, though our pastors are available to advise. We remember that when some of Jesus' disciples tried to keep children away from him he said:

"Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs." (Mark 10:14) And, "if your child asks for a fish, will you give a snake...or an egg, will you give a scorpion?" (Luke 11:11f)

But do young children know what they are doing when they receive Communion?

Do they understand the full meaning of this holy sacrament? No, and neither do any of us. It is a wonderful mystery, and children can sense wonder and mystery. Children cannot understand the full significance of family meals, but we feed them at our family tables and at Christ's family table. Young children experience being loved by being fed. They sense the difference between being included and excluded at a family meal. They have the faith of a child, appropriate to their stage of development, which Jesus recognized and honored. Indeed, he said to adults:

"Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)

May I receive Communion without standing or kneeling?

Certainly. In some UCC congregations most persons receive Communion while standing or kneeling, while in other UCC churches most receive while sitting. If you worship at Pilgrims' at a time we are invited to come forward to receive, and If others come forward and kneel, you may come forward and remain standing and you will be served. You may also come sit in the front row, or come forward in your wheelchair, and you will be served. Or you may remain where you are, notify an usher, and someone will come to you and serve you at your seat.

I have an allergy to gluten and wheat products. How may I participate?

We normally provide gluten-free bread for those who cannot tolerate wheat. On Sundays when we come forward to receive there will be a container of gluten-free bread and a separate cup for your use. When you receive seated, please signal an usher, who will bring you the container of gluten-free bread.

If someone in my family wishes to receive Communion but cannot come to the church service, can Communion be celebrated with them where they are?

Certainly. As an extension of the congregation's celebration of the Lord's Supper, Communion is shared with persons, "unwillingly absent," wherever they are, who wish it but could not attend the service. This may be done by clergy or designated laypersons. The key is that the person for whom the visit is made should be the person who requests the visit with Communion. (Special consideration must be made for persons in prison or in institutions.)

Is Communion possible at weddings, at healing services, or at funerals or memorial services?

Yes. If you wish to arrange this, talk with your pastor. General guidelines are:

• For weddings, if both bride and groom are baptized, (confirmed), active members of Pilgrims' or another Christian church.
• For funerals and memorials, if the deceased was an active Christian, or if Christian members of the family earnestly seek it for their own comfort and it is not an issue of conflict among the survivors.
• For healing services, when a full order of Word and Table is followed. Also, on occasion, anointing and prayers for healing are included as part of the Communion rite in the regular Sunday service.

Additional perspectives on these and other questions related to Communion may be found on the UCC site. If you wish to check it out, CLICK HERE.

Content of this page is adapted and emended, with permission, from a text originally prepared for use by United Methodists, by The Rev. Hoyt L. Hickman, OSL, former director of worship resources for The United Methodist Church (UMC). The UMC and the UCC are both member denominations of Churches Uniting in Christ (www.cuicinfo.org).