The Invitation To Receive Communion

Before the distribution of the bread and wine, the celebrant, holding up or indicating the gifts, invites the people to Communion. This moment, of course, is most effective when the people come up from their seats to receive.

The celebrant says a private prayer of preparation before receiving the Communion, as the members of the congregation also pray silently. In liturgical worship the celebrant genuflects, then, taking the bread and cup and holding it for the people to see, says, This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper. He adds, once only, with the people: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed. (Catholic tradition, The Roman Missal) or The gifts of God for the people of God. The celebrant may add: Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. (The Book of Common Prayer) The servers and choir are served first, then the people come forward as ushers lead them from the pew toward the Table. The Invitation to Receive Communion in Contemporary Worship. In churches where the bread and wine will be carried to the people in the pew, the minister may say one of the following words before the bread and wine is passed: Traditional The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. (The Book of Common Prayer) Contemporary (Biblical) O taste and see that the Lord is good. Contemporary Come to the feast and celebrate with Christ at his Table.