General Assembly Resolution Concerning the Ritual for the Lord's Supper

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER                                                               802

                                                                                     

 

802. THE SACRAMENT OF

THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

            The administration of the Lord’s Supper may be introduced by an appropriate sermon and the

            reading of 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Luke 22:14-20, or some other suitable passage. Let the 

            minister then give the following invitation:

            The Lord himself ordained this holy sacrament. He commanded His disciples to partake of the bread and wine, [emblems of] His broken body and shed blood. This is His table. The feast is for His disciples. Let all those who have with true repentance forsaken their sins, and have believed in Christ unto salvation, draw near [and take these emblems], and, by faith, partake of the life of Jesus Christ, to your soul’s comfort and joy. Let us remember that it is the memorial of the death and passion of our Lord; also a token of His coming again. Let us not forget that we are one, at one table with the Lord.

            The minister may offer a prayer of confession and supplication, concluding with the following

            payer of consecration:

             Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who out of Your tender mercy gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption: hear us, we most humbly beseech You. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon [Grant that, as we receive] these Your creatures of bread and wine, and grant that, as we receive them according to the holy institution of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of His passion and death, we may be made partakers of His most blessed Body and Blood. [the benefits of His atoning sacrifice.]

            We are reminded that in the same night that our Lord was betrayed, He took bread and, when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise, after supper, He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

            And so, [M]may we come before You in true humility and faith as we partake of this holy sacrament. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

            Then may the minister, partaking first, with the assistance of any other ministers present, and

            when necessary, of the stewards, administer the Communion to the people.

             While the bread is being distributed, let the minister say:

 

             The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Take and eat this, in remembrance that Christ died for you.

 

            As the cup is being passed, let the minister say:
 

            The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this, in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

 

            After all have partaken, the minister may then offer a concluding prayer of thanksgiving and             commitment. (29.5, 514.4, 514.9, 530.7, 531.2, 532.1)

 

            NOTE: Only unfermented wine should be used in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

 

 

FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

 

1.  These minimal changes, rather than a completely new ritual, allow us to keep a viable (though brief) ritual for our people, easily accessible in the Manual.

 2.  These minimal changes bring us closer in line with Jesus’ own wording as well as with Wesley and a Wesleyan sacramental theology and, thus, with many of our sisters and brothers in the larger   

Wesleyan/Methodist tradition.

3.  The change includes a recovery of the ancient epiclesis (invocation of the Holy Spirit) upon both the congregation and the bread and cup.  This recovery is something that has taken place throughout many denominations.