The Prayer Book (1979) instructs us that the Holy Eucharist is to be "the principal act of worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts." It is the practice that most clearly defines who we are as a Christian community. In the Holy Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, we are first and foremost worshiping God - entering into God’s holy Presence, since our Lord promised that wherever two or three are gathered together God would be in the midst of us - and offering our prayers and praises. Holy Eucharist is always an act of thanksgiving (this is what the word "eucharist" means), and we rejoice to define our lives by this weekly act of thanksgiving. We also have the opportunity to hear Holy Scripture, to pray for the needs of the church, the world, ourselves, and those we love, to experience God's forgiveness and healing, and to enjoy communion with the living Lord as we receive the Blessed Sacrament of his Body and Blood. We believe that the risen and glorified Christ is really present with us in the sacramental forms of Bread and Wine, which are mysteriously transformed into his Body and Blood. The significance of the mystery is that Jesus makes his self-giving love known to us and to the world - and has for centuries - by being among us in this way.
Worship Notes Receiving / Communion or a Blessing
The Holy Eucharist (Communion) is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again. Every Holy Eucharist is a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving that makes Christ present, and in which Christ unites us into one body, the Church. You are welcome at God’s table. Receive the bread in the palm of your outstretched hands. If you require a gluten-free wafer, please tell the clergy at the rail. Then, receive the wine by drinking from the chalice as it is extended to you. Please, no intinction. If you don’t feel comfortable drinking from the common cup, please receive the bread alone and be assured that all the benefits of Communion are received. If you would like a blessing instead of Communion, simply cross your arms over your chest to inform the clergy of your desire.
A Prayer before Worship
O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.