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.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
– 1 Cor. 11:23-26
INTRODUCTION
Here is a basic guideline for the privileged occasion that our Lord Jesus Christ instituted for the Church. The purpose is to simply guide us as God’s people to experience the joy of participation in this wonderful occasion.
THE PURPOSE
At Hills Bible Church we usually meet around the Lord’s Table the first Sunday of every month. It is a time in which believers remember (1 Cor. 11:24-25) and proclaim (1 Cor. 11:26) the Lord Jesus Christ’s death and sacrifice.
This regular observance serves to be a remembrance of the Lord’s death, a reminder of our salvation in Him, the recognition of our fellowship in the body of Christ and a renewal of our communion with the Lord (1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-34).
THE PRACTICE
The general practice of the Lord’s Table will be for an Elder to lead the congregation in a time around the Table. This will involve the reading of Scripture that relates to the Lord’s death. The one leading this will take 5-7 minutes preparing the congregation by reading and sharing from the selected text of Scripture. The leader will then draw attention to the elements (bread and cup) and explain that this is a time to remember our Lord. The congregation will be reminded that participation is for believers only and an unbeliever is to allow the elements to pass them by. There will be two additional Elders appointed to pray and bless the bread and the cup.
Prayer for the Bread
One Elder will be invited to lead the congregation in prayer and thanks for the bread. The bread will be distributed by the two Elders praying and by the offering stewards for ease of distribution.
Prayer for the Cup
The second Elder will be called upon to lead the congregation in prayer and thanks for the cup. The one leading the Lord’s Supper will ask the congregation to hold the cup so that we may drink it in unity as recognition of our fellowship in the body of Christ. The cup is then distributed in the same manner as the bread.
At the appropriate time, the one leading the Lord’s Supper will conclude in prayer and instruct the congregation to pass the cups to the centre aisle.