Known by various names, "Holy Communion", "The Lord's Supper", "Eucharist", this holy sacrament is central to our faith. It speaks to us of Christ's sacrificial giving of Himself for the redemption of our sins.
Known by various names, "Holy Communion", "The Lord's Supper", "Eucharist", this holy sacrament is central to our faith. It speaks to us of Christ's sacrificial giving of Himself for the redemption of our sins.
In the United Methodist Church, the Lord's Table is open to all those who desire Christ regardless of denominational affiliation. This means United Methodists welcome to the Lord's Table Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Episcopalians, and all those who truly seek the Lord.
Though we traditionally speak of the two elements of Communion as "bread and wine," United Methodists use grape juice rather than wine. The bread may be in the form of a thin wafer or a loaf of bread. Here at Carrollton UMC we generally use a loaf of bread.
We do not believe that the bread and the wine become the body and blood of Christ. Instead we acknowledge that they are the great symbols of Christ's body (broken for our sake) and blood (shed for our sins). We do not believe that Christ is in the bread and the wine as much as we believe that He is in "The Gathered Community of Faith" through the experience of the sacrament.
We observe the Sacrament of Holy Communion in a variety of methods. Usually worshippers will come to the communion rail (toward the front of the church) where they will kneel in prayer as they are offered the bread
and the wine. If there are those who cannot come down to the front of the church, the pastor(s) will take the loaf and the cup to them in the pews.
Children also have a place at the Lord's Table. To find out more about children and Holy Communion click here.