How to Perform Communion in the Methodist Church

Communion in a Methodist Church is quite different from that in a Catholic Church. Communion in any church still symbolizes the scene that took place at the last supper. There is the breaking of bread--small wafers are often substituted--representing Christ's body. The wine represents the blood of Christ, but many Methodist churches substitute grape juice. Regardless of the methods or tools used to give communion, the meaning remains the same and is a symbol that you give your life to Christ. You can perform communion in the Methodist church even if you’re not a minister.

Prepare the individual cups for the communion service and place them in the tray. Small individual glasses have been part of the communion service in most United Methodist churches for a long time. Before the service begins, pour 1/2 glass of wine or grape juice into each small glass and place it in the tray.

Lay the communion wafers on the trays. Individual communion wafers are normally used for the service to represent the body of Christ. If your church chooses, pass a loaf of bread, and allow those participating to break off a piece for communion.

Call all those to the altar who wish to take the sacrament there. During this time, people who wish to kneel can do so. You should also ask if anyone wishes to take communion from his seat. Ask them to raise their hands so the ushers can take the sacraments to them. Methodists invite all people to take communion if they believe in Christ. Remind people they don't need to be a member of the church.

Read from the Bible or use the "words of institution," which is a combination of quotes for both Luke 22:19 and Matthew 26:27. "On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." Follow this with the Lord's Prayer and a moment for everyone to confess their sins to the Lord in silence.

Wait until everyone receives the bread and wine from the ushers and then say a blessing. An appropriate blessing should indicate that the bread is the body of the Lord Jesus Christ, given for them so that they may have everlasting life. Ask the group to take and eat in remembrance that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for them. Pause as you wait for the group to eat the bread.

Raise your the wine goblet and indicate to the congregation that the wine represents the blood of Jesus. You may add that the blood Jesus shed for them allows them everlasting life and eternal forgiveness. Drink this in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice to save them. Allow the congregation to drink the wine.

Give the congregation time to give mental thanks for all that Christ did so that they may be saved. Follow the silence with a hymn as the congregation goes back to their seats.