What is Communion?

The Lord’s Supper (Communion) is a sacrament in which, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to Christ’s appointment, His death is proclaimed, and those who receive rightly are by faith…made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. (Westminster Shorter Catechism)

What are the Benefits of Communion? 

1.     Life in Christ

John 6:53-54 "Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."

2.     Abiding in Christ

John 6:55-57 “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.”

3.     Participation in Christ

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

4.     Remembering Christ, His covenant, and the forgiveness He offers us

Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

5.     Proclamation of Christ’s (saving) death

1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Who Is Communion For?

As Evangelical Presbyterians we believe the sacrament of Communion is for all true believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, including those from other congregations that are a part of the true Church. All who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord, have repented of sin, and covenant once more to live as followers of Jesus, including all baptized children who have professed their faith are welcome to share in the Communion meal. (EPC Book of Worship)

How Do We Prepare for Communion?

We prepare for communion by examining our spiritual lives, and our relationship with Christ. We confess and repent of known sins, to forgive those who have offended us, reconcile with those we have offended, and pray for the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit. (EPC Book of Worship)