Sunday Communion Assistants

Sunday Communion Assistants

Sunday Communion Assistants

  • Come forward to the altar right after the Lord’s Prayer.
  • The pastors will commune each other and then the communion assistants.
  • The celebrant will hand the chalices to each assistant (cupbearer). Hold one in each hand.
  • Proceed down the chancel steps to the main level of the sanctuary for continuous line or to the outside ends of the communion rail for “tables.” Ask the pastor prior to the service which method will be used that day.
  • Important for continuous line: each cup bearer should stand far enough to the side of the pastor so as not to interfere with the next person in line receiving the wafer. If you stand too close to the pastor, he or she will not be able to commune the next communicant until the previous communicant has moved away from the chalice.
  • At the communion, rail movement is from the outside into the center. After all have communed in each “table,” the celebrant will dismiss each side with the words, “Go in peace.” Then return to the outside end of the rail and repeat.
  • For communicants who choose to kneel, hold the chalices low enough for them to be able to dip their wafers, but be careful not to spill wine as you lower the chalices.
  • The words over the chalice are, “The Blood of Christ shed for you.”
  • If someone drops a wafer into the chalice, get the pastor’s attention and he or she will offer the communicant another wafer.
  • After all have communed, follow the celebrant back to the altar and place the chalices on the four corners of the credence table and cover with palls. Return to your pews.
  • The celebrant will return all other items to the credence table.
  • On Sundays, communion helpers wear albs, which are located in the closets in the sacristy. If you have any questions about tying the cincture (rope belt), ask a pastor.
  • When bread is used rather than wafers, place one loaf (Saturday night) on the large paten (plate) and cover with a larger linen cloth, which you may need to fold to size. On Sundays, three or four loaves may need to be placed on the paten. Consult with the pastor before the service to determine an adequate amount of bread.
  • For special services with a larger attendance, it is important to talk with the pastor prior to the service to assure that an adequate supply of bread and wine will be at the ready.