Instructions on Serving Pew Communion
1. Arrive at the church office 20 minutes prior to the worship.
2. Enter the Sanctuary during the Prelude. Elder #1 enters first, followed by Elder #2, #3, etc. Entering in order means you will sit in order, thus you will be in proper position for serving Communion later in the service. Take a seat in the reserved area at the front, on the congregation’s right.
3. During the Communion service, your cue to stand and approach the Table is when the pastor says, “These are the gifts of God for the people of God.” (This will come after the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Words of Institution.
4. We serve the bread first. The pastor removes the lids from the trays. Pick up a tray (he will not hand it to you) and move immediately to the area you serve (see diagram). Work from the Table to the Narthex.
5. When all the people have been served, gather at the back of the church and PUT ALL BUT ONE of the bread plates in the Sacristy (the room at the back of the church, near the Men’s Room). Elder #1 keeps his or her bread plate to return it to the Table. You will not be cued by the pastor – simply gather together at the narthex door and when you are able and ready return to the Lord’s Table as a group. Stand at the Table, facing the pastor.
6. The Pastor and elders receive the bread at this time. Elder #1 serves the pastor and the pastor serves the elders.
7. Elders will take the cup trays and serve the congregation.
8. When all elders have served the people, gather at the back of the church and put ALL BUT ONE of the cup trays in the Sacristy. Elder #1 keeps his or her cup tray to return it to the Table. You will not be cued by the pastor – simply gather together at the narthex door and when you are able and ready return to the Lord’s Table as a group.
9. The pastor and elders receive their cup. Elder #1 serves the pastor a cup and the pastor serves the elders.
10. After all the elders have been served, the pastor will move backward with a cup tray – put your empty cup into the tray.
11. The pastor will place the cup tray back on the table and the elders may return to their seats on the front row.
At the end of the service, please pick up the used communion cups.
