Holy Communion
Once a month, the morning service includes Holy Communion.
Unless the service is All Age Worship the children will go into 'Our Children' at 10.30am and will then join the adults for Holy Communion towards the end of the normal morning service.
We hope that the information below will answer any questions you might have about Holy Communion at East Molesey Methodist Church.
Everyone Welcome
Communion is the simple meal of bread and wine that Jesus gave to his disciples to remember him.
A disciple is someone who wants to learn from Jesus. So everyone who wants to learn from Jesus is
welcome to receive the bread and wine at these special services. At East Molesey Methodist Church,
we celebrate communion once a month. You don’t need to be a member of our church or even any
church to receive, but you do need to want to follow Jesus and experience more of the love of God
in your life.
Meeting with God
Our Sunday services are a time when we meet with others to focus especially on God and to
encourage one another in our faith. Someone once said whilst the sun still exists on a cloudy day, we
can really feel its power if we use a magnifying glass to set fire to a piece of paper on a very sunny
day. God is always there even when we feel that he isn’t, but communion is a time to meet with him
in an extra special way.
Communion or Blessing
Towards the end of the service, you will have the opportunity to come forward for communion. We
invite you to kneel at the communion rail and clearly hold out your hands so that we know that you
wish to receive the bread and wine. You may prefer to have a prayer of blessing, rather than
receiving communion. This is absolutely fine. Please put your arm across your chest so that we don’t
embarrass you by trying to give you the bread and wine. If you are not yet ready to receive
communion or a prayer of blessing, you are of course free to remain in your seat.
Children and Communion
Children are a key part of God’s family. In the Methodist Church, they are very welcome to receive
communion. Some churches believe that you have to fully understand before you can receive
communion, but do any of us really fully understand God. Children often have a clearer appreciation
of God than adults do. Do talk with your children before coming to a communion service and
encourage them to respond appropriately either to hold out their hands for communion or to
indicate that they want to receive a prayer of blessing as above.
Special needs
If you have a wheat intolerance, please let us know in advance of the Sunday so that wheat-free
wafers can be made available for you. The “wine” that we use is alcohol-free. If you are unable to
come up to the communion rail, simply let one of the stewards know, and the bread and wine will be
brought to you. If you are unable to come to church, arrangements can be made for a communion
service to take place for you at home or in hospital.
Becoming a disciple
Taking communion is a sign that you want to explore being a disciple of Jesus. As you make your
journey of faith, we encourage you, when you feel ready, to explore baptism (if you have not already
been baptised) and church membership as a sign of your commitment to him.
Revd. David Innes