At the Last Supper, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and invited them to break bread and drink wine together in remembrance of Him. We observe this sacrament in the United Church. At First†Metropolitan United Church, we practice an “open table,” that is, we invite all those who seek to follow in Christ’s way to take communion. Membership, baptism or confirmation is not required.
Communion service is usually served using the practice of intinction. A small piece of bread or rice wafer is dipped into grape juice and consumed. At the 9:00 a.m. chapel service, communion is offered every Sunday and the elements of bread and wine are brought to the seats of those attending by lay leaders.
At the 11:00 a.m. service communion is offered several times a year, including World-wide Communion Sunday. Those attending the service are invited to come to several stations around the Sanctuary. At each station, two servers hold the elements. Once you have taken a piece of bread or wafer, dipped it into the cup of grape juice and eaten it, you return to your seat. Lay leaders watch for those who might have difficulty in leaving their seats and bring the elements to those members of the congregation. As an alternative to intinction, traditionally trays with cubes of bread and small glasses of juice are passed amongst the pews.
