Being a Communion Server

The Lord's Table is the focus, and for many people, the highlight of our service.   In your role as a communion server you can be used by God to communicate his love and grace to people who desperately need it.   During the worship service pray - asking God to prepare you and use you in this role.  Our desire as leaders is not that people would notice us but that they would be pointed to Jesus and to what he has done and is doing for them.

There are four basic steps to your job here:
1. Receive the bread or cup from the pastor
2. Position yourself to be part of the team on the left or the right
3. Share the cup or bread with each person
4. Share cup and bread with your team member

1. Receive the bread or cup from the pastor
Sit near the front row so that you can quickly come up when it is time to serve.   The pastor will say the words of institution then will come forward with the bread and cup.  As he does, come forward to meet him.   He will hand you the element he is hoping you will serve.

2. Position Yourself
The two teams stand apart - to the left and to the right of the center isle.    The people with bread stand towards the center and the people with the cup stand towards the side walls.  The two bread servers should line up with end of the pew so that the middle aisle is clear.  Stand next to your partner.   The people will generally come down the center aisle, choose a team to go to, receive bread then cup, then exit up the side aisle.

3. Share the cup or bread with each person
As each person comes forward look them in the eye with a welcoming expression
 

If you hold the bread say one of the following:
            "Jesus broke his body for you"
            "The body of Christ broken for you"
            "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world"

If you hold the cup say one of the following:
             "The Cup of Salvation for you"
             "Jesus shed his blood for you "
             "The cup of the New Covenant given for you"

If you are very confident you know the person's first name you should include it "Sarah, the cup of salvation for you."
If you don't, that's fine, just say the generic blessing.   The key is to be totally focused on the person you are with in that moment.  Don't look around, don't look at the next person, look right at them.   Your whole stance should send the message to them "I am for you."

3. Share the cup and bread with your team partner
Once everyone has come forward, wait a few seconds and look around to see if someone still intending to come forward.  Share cup and bread with your partner.  If someone then comes forward, that's fine, serve them then.   The easiest way to share with your partner is for the person with the bread to tear their own piece and dip it as the other says a blessing.  Then they take the cup with one hand and continue to hold the bread with the other.  The second partner tears the bread for themselves and dips it in the cup while the first partner says a blessing.

Once you have served each other look up for stragglers.  If you see none, return the bread and cup to the table, and then return to your seat.