The Communion Service
for Shut-ins and Hospitals

Introduction
Jesus Christ himself gave us instructions that we should often partake of the Lord’s Supper and in so doing remember his work on the cross for us. The Lord’s Supper is similar to the Passover Meal in that it was taken at the Passover meal in the upper room. The same elements are used: the unleavened bread, which is unfermented, and the cup of grape juice or wine, which symbolizes the Passover blood spilt and spread on the lintels and door posts of the believing families with the promise that "When I see the blood, I will pass over you."

Jesus invites every born again believer, that has repented of sin and personally received Jesus Christ into their lives (Revelation 3:20) to partake as the family of God. Unbelievers and nominal believers are not welcome to partake with the born again, and blood-washed saints. We would be wise to heed the warnings of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11:23-24. "Let a man examine himself first, then let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup."

Read the Passage

I recommend that those serving communion read the passage as a reminder to the participant of the seriousness of being prepared to partake.

Let us begin with prayer examining our hearts and asking the Lord’s forgiveness and cleansing before we partake of the Lord’s table.

Offer a Short Prayer

THE BREAD
Take first the bread holding the tray in your hand and say…

"For I have received of the Lord that which I also have delivered unto you that Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’"

Hand them the bread.. then pray a prayer of thanksgiving. Then say…

Let us partake together.

THE CUP
Next take the cup, fill it if not already done, while saying…

"After the same manner also he took the cup after supper and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink of it in remembrance of me."

Hand them the cup… Pray a prayer of thanksgiving. At the end say…

Let us partake together.

AMEN
The Gospels tell us that they then sang a hymn and went out. It is appropriate to sing a hymn quietly to the recipient. Amazing Grace is often familiar enough for such an occasion. If you are not a good singer then perhaps using a cassette tape of a hymn would be better.

SUGGESTED HYMNS & CHORUSES

  • Amazing Grace
  • The Old Rugged Cross
  • Thank You Lord for Saving My Soul
  • He Is Lord

MUSIC: Not all elders are comfortable with music and singing. In such cases it would be well to take along a cassette player with some old familiar hymns appropriate for communion.

CASSETTE PLAYERS: Cassette player are available for your shut ins who have no recorder/player. The office is prepared to make and mail tapes to those shut-ins who request them at no cost to them.

COMMUNION SETS: Communion sets are available in the church office. They are convenient portable trays for the grape juice and the bread. Be sure to clean and dry it after each use before storing it away.

COMMUNION SUNDAY: It is expected that you will faithfully make arrangements with your shut-ins to visit and serve communion on the first Sunday of the month. Other arrangements are appropriate also but Communion Sunday offers the best system for remembering and having standing arrangements with the shut-in. Not all shut-ins want to be visited or served communion so be sure to call ahead the day before. You are welcome and encouraged to take your wife along whenever possible.

COMMUNION HINTS

  • Serve Communion to shut-ins and the hospitalized on Communion Sunday. Serve to the hospitalized only if they request it.
  • Arrange in advance who would like to have Communion on a monthly basis. Schedule the day and the hour with the shut-in.
  • Keep your Communion schedule. Be regular and punctual. The elderly look forward to it. Avoid last minute changes and cancellations.
  • You should not offer to serve communion in private to people who do not know the Lord as their Savior, or who are negligent in their church attendance.
  • Keep your communion supplies together and cleaned up after each use. You may replenish your supply on Communion Sunday from the deaconess supply.
  • Communion is a sacred service, keep it so. Wear a jacket and tie when possible. In the summer a shirt and tie is appropriate.
  • If possible, taking your wife along to a shut-in may be helpful in making female members feel more comfortable.
  • Some elders and deacons enjoy this ministry more than others. If you find yourself not enjoying this part of elder ministry you are permitted to let an elder or deacon take your place who really enjoys doing it.

"Let all things be done decently and in order." - I Corinthians 14:40