Monday, January 19, 2004

Serving Holy Communion To Shut-Ins


In the early years of the church, Christians would gather in homes to worship God and to celebrate the Sacraments. The church welcomes opportunities to share the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in homes, nursing facilities and hospitals with those who cannot attend public worship.





INTRODUCTION

The 211th General Assembly (1999) confirmed the addition to the Book of Order of a section providing for the extended serving of the church's communion to members isolated from congregational worship. The new section reads:


The serving of the elements may be extended, by two or more ordained officers of the church, to those isolated from the community's worship, provided

  • The elements are served following worship on the same calendar day, or as soon as practically feasible, as a direct extension of the serving of the gathered congregation, to church members who have responded to the church's invitation to receive the Sacrament;
  • Care is taken in the serving to ensure that the unity of Word and Sacrament is maintained, by the reading of Scripture and the offering of prayers; and
  • Those serving have been instructed by the Session or authorizing governing body in the theological and pastoral foundations of this ministry and in the liturgical resources for it. (W-3.3616e)

The intent of this provision is twofold. It strengthens the pastoral care of the church to its elderly, disabled and homebound members by making it more feasible for them to participate regularly and frequently in the Lord's Supper. This provision also makes our celebration of the Lord's Supper a strong sign of the unity of the church by regularly including in the church's communion those who are unable to gather with the worshiping congregation. In adopting W-3.3616e, the church has embraced opportunities for pastoral ministry to persons in a variety of isolating circumstances.


Home communion is a separate celebration of the Lord's Supper. The home visit may be scheduled at any convenient time.

The home communion visit consists of an abbreviated but complete celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Home communion extends the celebration of the gathered congregation.

Elders and deacons go with or without the pastor to members beyond the sanctuary.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

  • Ordained elders and deacons should be trained by the pastor and Session in order to provide this ministry.
  • Pastors or experienced ordained officers should attend the Communion with the inexperienced person, at least on the first visit.
  • There are small, portable kits to use in these services. Be sure your church has at least one and that it is well stocked.
  • Care should be taken to schedule the extended serving visit. Allowance must also be made for mealtimes, treatment schedules and other activities over which the isolated communicants have little or no control.
  • Be willing to visit and socialize for a while before beginning the service. Set up the service elements on a table, coffee table, dining room/kitchen table, hospital tray.
  • Use as much or as little of a printed order of worship as you desire, but be sure the worship is complete in all necessary elements.
  • It is appropriate to take the Sacrament to those whose mental capacities seem impaired. If a person asks for this service, be careful about refusing. An elderly person suffering from Alzheimer’s may not know you or remember what church he or she attended, but the body and blood of Christ may well be recognizable.


COMMENTARY ON THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

The order of worship suggested here for the extended serving is adapted from the Service for the Lord's Day, Book of Common Worship (1993). The service is brief, but maintains the critical link between the Word and the Sacrament.

Prior to the visit, be sure you have inspected the kit. Fill the small bread container with bread wafers and fresh cups. Fill the wine container with wine or grape juice. Along with the kit, be sure you have extra cups, extra containers filled with wine or juice, and extra bread. Take some small paper napkins, as you will need them in cleaning up small spills.

Team members should always identify themselves by name with these or similar words: “We are Fred and Jane, elders from your church and we came here to visit and to enable you to share in the communion of your church.”

Elders and deacons should take time to visit with the Communicant. As you visit, listen for concerns and joys to remember in prayer.

When all are ready for communion, prepare the elements by uncovering the bread and pouring the cup. Elders and deacons may invite others present to join in this service. In selecting what will become the "Lord's Table" for the next few minutes, consider what would happen if a small amount of wine is spilled. Don't set up the Lord's Table on an antique table cloth, without taking steps to protect your host's property.

Do not fill the cups!

In this picture you can see how a small amount fills a communion cup to the rim. This will make it difficult for an elderly person, or a parishioner in a hospital bed.


Put a very small amount of wine or juice in each cup.



GREETING

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Then an elder says these words:

When our congregation gathered this morning for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, we heard again the story of God's mighty acts of love, embodied in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. With thanksgiving we remembered that "on the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, 'this is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples saying. 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this in remembrance of me.'" We were also given assurance of the Lord's presence through the gift of his Holy Spirit.

Now we bring you this same bread of life and this same cup of blessing, that you may be strengthened through our communion in the Body of Christ.

When circumstances permit, this or a similar prayer of confession may be said by the elder or deacon:

CONFESSION

Almighty and merciful God,we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.O Lord, have mercy upon usSpare those who confess their faults.Restore those who are penitent, according to your promisesdeclared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord.And grant, O merciful God, for his sakethat we may live a holy, just, and humble lifeto the glory of your holy name.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.The old life has gone: a new life has begun.Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen. May the peace of Christ always be with you.

SCRIPTURE READING

The reading from scripture upon which the morning sermon was based may be read. You may wish to ask your host if he or she has a favorite passage that should be read. This is an opportunity for more than one ordained officer to participate in the leadership of the service.

COMMUNION PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

This or a similar prayer may be offered:

Gracious Lord,
Bless this home, and all who are gathered here. Bless this table, which has become for us at this moment the Lord's Table. Bless these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the body and blood of our savior Jesus Christ. Bless our hearts, that we may receive these gifts that we do not deserve. Amen.


COMMUNION

The bread is shared, with one of the elders or deacons saying:

The body of Christ, given for you.

The cup is shared, with one of the elders or deacons saying:

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

If the participant is a patient who can receive nothing by mouth, simply take the bread, dip it in the wine, and touch it upon the person's lips saying, "This is the body and blood of Christ, which is for you." Be sure to explain to the patient prior to the service that the doctor's restrictions will not impair the effectiveness of the Sacrament.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

Join hands to offer a closing prayer. Specific prayers for the individual or the church may be added. After this prayer, one of the elders or deacons should clean the table and pack the Communion kit, while the other may continue to converse.