The Sacrament of Communion At Vista Ridge United Methodist
Church Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
At Vista Ridge, we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday (all services) and the third Sunday (first and third service). We have an ‘open’ table inviting all believers to come. We come to the table reverently and thoughtfully because this is when we relive the Last Supper, and the bread and the unfermented fruit of the vine symbolize the body and blood of Christ. We commune with Christ and with one another. It is a means of grace by which God encounters us, works invisibly in us and sustains us in mercy and love.
We offer communion in two common fashions. Intinction is the dipping of the bread in a common cup from a central station manned by the Pastor(s). The common cup and the loaf of bread represent the unity of the body of Christ gathered at one table. Individual cups and bread are served by dedicated Lay Leaders at the outer row of altar rails.
During the serving of the bread, the words, “The body of Christ broken for you” are traditionally exchanged. Likewise, “The blood of Christ shed for you” accompanies the serving of the wine. For the much younger celebrants, a simple “God loves you” is often more suitable. An appropriate response to each exchange is “Amen.”
Congregation members receiving Communion at the central station either proceed to the inner set of altar rails to kneel and reflect in prayer or may choose to return directly to their seats.
The ushers direct the congregation to ensure a smooth and continuous flow to Communion and the congregation members return to their seats via the aisles along the walls of the Sanctuary.
At certain very busy services, we may alter this slightly by adding additional serving stations in other locations in the Sanctuary.
