Communion Set-Up Help

Each Sunday that the congregation takes communion, someone sets up the plate of bread, the cup of wine, and anything else needed.  Many of us are or used to be nervous about setting up everything "correctly," so I want to share what I have learned:

ATTITUDE:  First of all, preparing communion, which is one of the Sacraments, is a special time!  Consider your attitude as you begin:  are you in a rush?  or you stressed because you are learning how to prepare communion?  did you just have an annoying conversation with someone?  Life happens!  But, take a moment to be in the moment at the church, being reflective and thankful for the opportunity to share your talents so that members will be able to enjoy partaking of communion.  Another hint is that if you set up communion Saturday (instead of Sunday morning), you'll have less stress!

ASK:  Before you prepare the setting, ask the pastor or one of the worship leaders which kind of communion will occur:  either the more formal one with individual cups for wine or the less formal one where we dip the bread into the goblet (intinction).

 LOCATION OF SUPPLIES:  At St. John, the dishes and cloths are in the Sacristy which is a small room to the left of the altar.  You will find them in the left corner cupboard in the far end of the room.  Use the small white table in the Sacristy as your work station. Have a wet towel and paper towels handy for cleanup.

FORMAL SETTING
Equipment:  the trays (4 trays with lid and base); small plastic cups for wine;  silver goblet;  small silver covered dish with lid (for gluten-free communion wafers); small plate for communion bread; communion cloth, white dispenser;  communion bread; wine; and grape juice.  (Ask someone where to find the bread, wine, and juice.)

For regular Sundays:

1.  Fill two trays (ensure that you have the base--a flat tray--under the two trays) with the plastic cups.  Then, fill the dispenser with grape juice (ask someone how to use the dispenser--it's a life saver!)  Fill the center circle of cups with grape juice. Then, pour wine into the dispenser and fill the rest of the cups with wine.  If some wine or juice drips onto the trays, use a paper towel to clean the surface.  Place the lid on the top of the trays.
2. Pour wine into the silver goblet (about 2 or 3 inches).
3. Communion bread may be in the freezer in the kitchen OR you may have to make communion bread, which is not hard (recipe for communion bread).  If the bread is in the freezer, it needs to thaw overnight.  Place two large or three small loaves on the small silver plate.
4. Gluten-free wafers are in the small, covered silver dish.  Have at least 2 wafers in there. 
5. Set up the dishes according to the photo.
6. Using the communion cloth (in the small white box on the shelf), fold the cloth in half and then cover the setting.

For Easter, Christmas, or Celebratory Sunday when more attend service, use at least 3 trays and at least 3 large or 5 small loaves of communion bread.  Have additional gluten-free wafers in the dish.

INFORMAL SETTING

Equipment:  goblet (either blue or silver); plate (either blue or silver); small dish with gluten-free wafers; communion bread and wine.

1. Fill the goblet to within 1 inch of the rim with wine.
2. Place two large or three small loaves on the small silver or blue plate.

 

(If you see errors or omissions or need more instruction, please let Verna Studer know.)