Thanks for serving communion at Trinity Grace!

At Trinity Grace, there is a difference between “administering” communion and “serving” communion.

Administering communion involves explaining the meaning of communion, blessing the elements through prayer, and leading the people into a time of self-reflection and preparation. This responsibility is akin to teaching, so we reserve this role for a godly, qualified male, like an elder, for example. The leader administering communion then invites up people to serve the elements.

Serving communion involves passing around the elements to the congregation. While this service is a privilege, passing around the elements is not a function of spiritual leadership. There is no restriction to age, gender, or baptism for passing around the elements. In fact, at some point even non Christians will pass the elements along their row to the person seated next to them. So serving communion is a practical role, even while it is a privilege to serve.

So here are practical steps for communion servers:

  1. Check your heart. For those serving communion, it is befitting, however, to check your heart. If you are not baptized, you should refrain from consuming the elements. Consider deeply the elements that you are passing along to others and wonder why you have not been baptized yet. Have a holy jealousy that longs to partake in remembering Christ in this most profound and beautiful means of grace.
  2. There are 4 assigned positions.
    • East Aisle (closest to Stephenson’s Rental)
    • Middle Aisle
    • West Aisle (closest to Sherwin’s Paint Store)
    • Upstairs.
  3. To begin, each server will be handed one tray of bread.
  4. Proceed to your assigned section and follow the flow as shown in the diagram below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. SPECIAL NOTE: MIDDLE AISLE server. Please facilitate the tray to the next row when the tray from the East and West aisles reaches the middle aisle. The middle aisle server’s job is to “juggle” the trays that come to the middle. Please alternate the tray your were handed between East and West sections as you see fit depending on numbers.
  2. SPECIAL NOTE: UPSTAIRS server. Please go DIRECTLY upstairs. Do not help with the downstairs. AFTER your finish the upstairs, you can help with unserved rows downstairs.
  3. Return to the table at the front with the trays and take the element into hand at the table.
  4. The leader will invite everyone to consume the bread together.
  5. This process will repeat with the cups.
  6. SPECIAL NOTE: WEST server will serve the band for both the bread and the cup.
  7. You can return to your seats after drinking the cup.

If you have any questions, please contact Steve Morel at stevecmorel@gmail.com. 

Thanks for serving!

Trinity Grace Church