Since March 2020 we have not been able to gather together for our weekly “family meal” – the Lord’s Supper. For many of us, it’s the longest time we’ve ever gone without receiving the strengthening, nourishing, refreshing real presence of our Lord. It’s also the longest time we’ve gone without being together with the whole “communion of saints” at this shared meal. I hope you are feeling just a little bit hungry and thirsty for this means by which Christ comes to us!

That’s not to say that Christ has not been among us throughout this time of separation. Jesus is the living, incarnate, Word of God who continually meets us in the written and proclaimed Word of God. This includes the public reading of Scripture, preaching, teaching, the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism and Communion, confession & absolution, music, arts, prayers, Christian witness, and service. Whew! As you can see, the Lord’s Supper (aka Holy Communion) is only one of the ways we experience the real presence of Christ.

The communion meal is unique, however, in that it is the ONLY meal we share together with the whole body of Christ – and it spans the limits of space and time. Differing from any meal we have with our immediate or extended family, this meal combines real food and drink with the real promises and presence of our living Lord. And so we take this meal seriously.

Covid19 has affected many aspects of our lives: how we greet each other, how we work, how we learn, and how we worship. Out of love and respect for each other- especially the most vulnerable among us – we have held off from sharing this meal. We want people to feel safe in giving and receiving the bread and the wine/juice of communion. We want – as much as possible – to have this be an inclusive experience for all the baptized, and that’s important in a world where people are so easily left out or left behind. In such exceptional times as these, the teachings of Martin Luther and others affirm that we have some flexibility – even where the Lord’s Supper is concerned. Still, we must remember that it is a community meal, where Jesus is the host, and not an activity that we do in private whenever and however we want. After consulting with Bishop Jungling and other leaders and colleagues throughout the ELCA, we will begin celebrating this meal together on the last Sunday of each month, beginning on July 26th.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. We ask each individual or household to provide their own bread and wine or grape juice.
   If you are worshiping with us on-line, set out a plate with sufficient bread on it for each person to have some. Set out small cups or glasses and pour some wine or grape juice in each one. Get this ready before worship begins.
   If you are worshiping with us in-person, pack a reusable container with enough bread for those in your household and bring it with you to church. You may or may not choose to bring small juice boxes or similar containers with grape juice for each person in your family. We discourage everyone from transporting open containers of wine either to or from church. Even if you have only bread, Jesus is 100% fully present with and for you in the bread of communion!
2. After the Sharing of the Peace and the Offering, we will take a few minutes together (at home and in-person) to prepare ourselves for Communion. One person from each family should be designated to distribute the bread/wine/juice to others in their household. It is recommended that this role be reserved for older youth and adults. Then we will speak the words of the Great Thanksgiving, and the Pastor will begin the Words of Institution:
   P: Please pick up and hold the plate or container with your bread. “In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took the bread. He blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying “Take and eat. This is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” At this time, give each person in your household a piece of the bread, while you say: “The body of Christ given for you.” (If you are communing yourself, say: ‘The body of Christ given for me.’)
   (a brief pause will be observed to give people time to do this)
   P: Now pick up and hold the container with the juice/wine. “Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Give each person in your household a portion of the wine/juice, while you say: “The blood of Christ shed for you.” (If you are communing yourself, say: ‘The blood of Christ shed for me.’)
   (a brief pause will be observed to give people time to do this)
   When all have communed, we will say The Lord’s Prayer together. The Pastor will give the post-Communion blessing and prayer, and the service will conclude with the Blessing, Sending Song, and Dismissal.