United Methodists and Communion
Holy Communion, along with Baptism, one of two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord, is a means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, bringing alive, strengthening, and confirming our faith. The term “sacrament” 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.
This Holy Meal
This Holy Meal is known by several names. “The Lord’s Supper” reminds us that it is a meal instituted by Christ and hosted by him at his table when it takes place, recalling not just the Upper Room Passover meal, but the many meals Jesus ate with his disciples. “Holy Communion” reminds us that it is an act of the most holy and intimate sharing, making us one with Christ Jesus and part of his living body, the church. “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. The broken bread and shared cup are foretastes of the food we shall share in the heavenly banquet to which we have all been invited. By using different names, we acknowledge that no single name can contain the rich wealth of meanings in this sacred act as we celebrate the presence of the living, resurrected, Christ with us.
Open Communion
United Methodist receive Communion by the bread, representing the body of Christ, and the cup, representing the blood of Christ, both broken and spilled out for us on the cross. United Methodists come forward for Communion, as an act of willful response to the invitation to “come and feast at the table of the Lord.” Persons may receive Communion by intinction (receiving a piece of bread and dipping in to a common cup) or by individual pieces of bread and individual cups. It is a common practice to hold your hands in the form of a cross to receive Communion. We believe that the bread and juice are changed spiritually into the body and blood of Christ, helping us to be Christ’s body in the world, redeemed by Christ’s blood, “one with each other, and one in service to the world. United Methodists practice “open communion” because the supper is Christ’s Supper and not our own, all are invited to receive. We do not refuse anyone present desiring to receive. Children are also welcome at the table, just as we welcome them at family tables. Communion is a wonderful mystery and children who are always welcome can sense the wonder and mystery.
John Wesley believed that regular sharing in the Lord’s Supper provided indispensable nourishment for the soul. At Forrest Burdette, Holy Communion is served the first Sunday in the month as well as special days such as Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.