A. Introductory notes
1. The Lord's Supper is the other sacrament (besides baptism) accepted by
the Christian Reformed Church, because it, too, was commanded and thus instituted
by Christ himself, as Paul reports in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (see also Matt.
26:26-29 and parallel Gospel texts). In setting forth the meaning of this
sacrament, the Reformed confessions, the writings of Reformed theologians,
and recent ecumenical documents emphasize the following themes:
a. The Lord's Supper is a thanksgiving to God (eucharist).
b. The Lord's Supper is a memorial of Christ (anamnesis).
c. The Lord's Supper is a participation in the
body and the blood of Christ.
d. The Lord's Supper signifies the work of the
Spirit (epiclesis).
e. The Lord's Supper symbolizes the unity of the
church in all times and places.
f. The Lord's Supper seals the present and coming
kingdom of God.
2. As in the case of baptism, the history of the Lord's Supper in the
Christian church reveals both diversity in form and practice as well as common
threads that continue to characterize this Christian sacrament. Some of the
most important common and abiding features of the Lord's Supper are the following:
a. The Lord's Supper includes four actions:
--taking bread and wine
--giving thanks over them
--breaking the bread/pouring the wine
--sharing among God's people.
b. The Lord's Supper is normally and regularly
part of a single liturgy of Word and table.
c. The memorial of Christ refers to his entire
life and ministry, his death, resurrection, ascension, and return.
3. In drafting and compiling "shorter, more flexible" forms for the Lord's
Supper, the CRC Worship Committee researched various Reformed and ecumenical
statements, confessions, and affirmations about this sacrament. In the light
of synod's encouragement to the churches "to adapt as needed all denominational
liturgical forms" (Acts of Synod 1991, p. 707), we offer the following forms
both as materials to be used directly and as resources that may shape local
adaptations.
We achieved brevity in some of the forms by focusing strictly on the elements
deemed essential to the sacrament:
a. The scriptural words of institution (with breaking/pouring).
b. The thanksgiving and consecration.
c. The communion with bread and cup.
Other elements could possibly be eliminated or certainly adapted, though
we suggest that any local adaptations reflect the crucial themes of the Lord's
Supper given above in A, 1, a-f. We also suggest that the Apostles' Creed
or Nicene Creed be recited prior to the celebration of the sacrament as a
response to the service of the Word.
B. Services of the Lord's Supper
1. A revision of the Lord's Supper section of the "Service of Word and Sacrament" (Psalter
Hymnal, pp. 973-75). The revision draws on many classic elements of the Lord's
Supper liturgy and now includes thanksgiving prayers that are appropriate
to specific seasons of the church year.
The Thanksgiving
[The people stand.]
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right for us to give thanks and praise.
Minister: [reading one of the following thanksgiving prayers]
[for regular Sunday use]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who by his life, death, and resurrection
opened to us the way of everlasting life.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for Advent]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
whose coming opened to us the way of salvation
and whose triumphant return we eagerly await.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for Christmas]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who came among us as the Word made flesh
to show us your glory, full of grace and truth.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for (or after) Epiphany]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who came as the light of the world
to show us your way of truth in parables and miracles.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for Lent]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
by whose grace we may triumph over temptation,
be more fervent in prayer, and be more generous in love.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for Holy Week]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who became the true paschal Lamb
that was sacrificed for our salvation.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for Easter]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who by his glorious resurrection
overcame the power of sin and gave us new life.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for Ascension]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who was exalted as King of the universe,
that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
[for Pentecost]
With joy we praise you, gracious God,
for you have created heaven and earth,
made us in your image, and kept covenant with us--
even when we fell into sin.
We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord,
and for the pouring forth of your Holy Spirit,
who equips us for service and leads us into your truth.
Therefore we join our voices
with all the saints and angels and the whole creation
to proclaim the glory of your name.
All: [Sing the Sanctus (Psalter Hymnal 249:4 or 626) or another
song of praise.]
The Institution
[The people are seated.]
Minister: We give thanks to God the Father that our Savior, Jesus
Christ, before he suffered, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice, until
he comes again. At his last supper, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he
had given thanks, he broke it [here the minister breaks the bread] and said, "This
is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same
way, he took the cup after supper [here the minister pours the wine] and
said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this in remembrance of
me." For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's
death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Therefore we proclaim our
faith as signed and sealed in this sacrament:
People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Prayer of Consecration
Minister: Lord, our God, send your Holy Spirit so that this bread
and cup may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we
and all your saints be united with Christ and remain faithful in hope and
love. Gather your whole church, O Lord, into the glory of your kingdom. We
pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray,
All: "Our Father in heaven . . . Amen." [or sing the Lord's Prayer
(Psalter Hymnal 207 or 208)]
The Invitation
Minister: Congregation of Jesus Christ, the Lord has prepared his
table for all who love him and trust in him alone for their salvation. All
who are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus
as their Savior, and who desire to live in obedience to him as Lord, are
now invited to come with gladness to the table of the Lord.
[Indicating the elements, the minister proclaims,]
The gifts of God for the people of God!
The Communion
[During the distribution, communion hymns may be sung, or the minister
may read an appropriate passage of Scripture.]
Minister: Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord
Jesus Christ was given for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.
Take, drink, remember, and believe that the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
was given for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.
[or]
Take, eat! Remember and believe that the body of Christ is the bread of
heaven for us.
Take, drink! Remember and believe that the blood of Christ is the cup of
our salvation.
[or]
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
[see insertion, as first option]
[The sacrament concludes with a song of thanksgiving.]
2. A revision of the "Service of Word and Sacrament" (Psalter Hymnal,
pp. 973-75). This form incorporates more congregational singing as part of
The Thanksgiving and has notes with more suggestions of appropriate hymns.
[During the offering, the congregation may sing a hymn, and the gifts
of bread and wine may be brought forward to prepare the table.]
The Institution
Minister: We give thanks to God the Father that our Savior, Jesus
Christ, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice until he comes again. For
the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it [here
the minister breaks the bread] and said, "This is my body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, he took the cup after supper
[here the minister pours the wine] and said, "This cup is the new covenant
in my blood; do this in remembrance of me." For whenever we eat this bread
and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
The Thanksgiving
[The people stand.]
All: [Sing Psalter Hymnal 309 or 515 as a thanksgiving.]
Minister: [offering the following consecration prayer]
Lord, our God, send your Holy Spirit upon us,
that all who eat and drink at this table
may be one body and one holy people,
a living sacrifice to the glory of Jesus Christ,
in whose name we pray. Amen.
All: [Sing the Sanctus (Psalter Hymnal 249:4 or 626).]
The Acclamation
Minister: In unity with Christians everywhere, let us proclaim the
mystery of our faith.
People:
Your death, O Christ, we proclaim.
Your resurrection we affirm with joy.
Your coming we await with hope.
Glory be to you, Lord Jesus!
[or]
Christ has died!
Christ is risen!
Christ will come again!
The Invitation
[The people are seated.]
Minister: Congregation of Jesus Christ, the Lord has prepared his
table for true believers. If you are sorry for your sins and sincerely follow
Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are invited to come with gladness
to this table of the Lord.
The Communion
[Appropriate hymns may be sung during the distribution; see note below
for suggestions.]
Minister: Take, eat, remember, and believe that the precious body
of our Lord Jesus Christ was given for the complete forgiveness of all our
sins. Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.
[or]
Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on
him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving. Drink this in remembrance that
Christ's blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
[see insertion, as first option]
Thanksgiving Song
[All sing one of the following Psalter Hymnal choices: 103, 297, 475 (settings
of Psalm 103); 216 (Song of Simeon); 267, 306, 313, 401, 453, 454, 629.]
3. New forms: biblical models
The set of new Lord's Supper forms that we offer are short outlines or models
that are all variants of each other: each focuses on one book of the Bible;
all are structured by a period of preparation, followed by the Lord's Supper,
and concluded with thanksgiving; and all leave room for local adaptation.
The formula "Take, eat! . . ." is consistent in each one.
a. From the Psalms
[The following elements may be used earlier in the service.]
A Psalm of Preparation: Psalm 116 [may be read in unison]
Our Praise: Psalm 103, sung from Psalter Hymnal 475
A Psalm of Prayer: Psalm 139 [may be read with different voices]
The Lord's Supper
The Words of Institution: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Our Testimony: Psalter Hymnal 309, "Lift Up Your Hearts unto the Lord"
Prayer of Consecration
The Bread [The minister lifts or gestures toward the bread, saying Psalm
34:8.]
Distribution of the bread, with singing of one or several communion songs
Call to Participation: "Take, eat! Remember and believe that the body of
our Lord was given for the complete forgiveness of all our sins!"
The Cup [The minister lifts or gestures toward the cup, saying Psalm 116:13.]
Distribution of the cup, with singing of one or several communion songs
Call to Participation: "Take, drink! Remember and believe that the blood
of our Lord was given for the complete forgiveness of all our sins!"
The Thanksgiving: Psalm 23 [may be read in unison]
A Psalm (or Hymn) of Joyful Thanksgiving
b. From the Prophecy of Isaiah
[The following elements may be used earlier in the service.]
The Call of God: Isaiah 55:1-7
Our Testimony: Psalter Hymnal 500, "How Firm a Foundation"
The Way of the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53
Our Confession: Psalter Hymnal 194, "Comfort, Comfort Now My People"
The Delight of Salvation: Isaiah 11:1-10
Our Celebration: Psalter Hymnal 198, "Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come"
The Lord's Supper
The Words of Institution: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Our Testimony: Psalter Hymnal 309, "Lift Up Your Hearts unto the Lord"
Prayer of Consecration
The Bread
Distribution of the bread, with singing Psalter Hymnal 193, "Surely It Is
God Who Saves Me"
Call to Participation: "Take, eat! . . ."
The Cup
Distribution of the cup, with singing Psalter Hymnal 616, "Isaiah the Prophet
Has Written of Old"
Call to Participation: "Take, drink! . . ."
The Thanksgiving: Isaiah 61:1-3 [leader], 10-11 [people]
Songs of Response: Psalter Hymnal 195, "Our God Reigns"; 197, "The Trees
of the Field"
c. From the Gospel of Mark
[The following elements may be used earlier in the service.
An Act of Loving Devotion: Mark 14:1-9
Our Testimony of Devotion: Psalter Hymnal 284:2, "Jesus, I Adore You . .
."
An Act of Betrayal: Mark 14:10-11
Our Prayer of Confession
An Act of Preparation: Mark 14:12-16
Hymn of Preparation: Psalter Hymnal 307:1, 3-4; "O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts"
The Lord's Supper
Prayer of Consecration
The Bread: Mark 14:17, 22
Distribution of the bread, with singing
Call to Participation: "Take, eat! . . ."
The Cup: Mark 14:23-25
Distribution of the cup, with singing
Call to Participation: "Take, drink! . . ."
A Hymn of Joyful Thanksgiving: Psalter Hymnal 306, "Now the Solemn Feast
Is Done"
d. From the Gospel of Luke
[The following elements may be used earlier in the service.]
The Gospel Story: Luke 15:11-24
Our Testimony: Psalter Hymnal 462, "Amazing Grace--How Sweet the Sound"
The Unfortunate Response: Luke 14:16-24
Our Prayer of Confession
The Table of Grace: Luke 19:1-9
Our Song of Joy: Psalter Hymnal 571, "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know"
The Lord's Supper
The Preparation of the Upper Room: Luke 22:7-16
Our Prayer: Psalter Hymnal 302, "In the Quiet Consecration"
Prayer of Consecration
The Bread: Luke 22:19
Distribution of the bread, with singing
Call to Participation: "Take, eat! . . ."
The Cup: Luke 22:20
Distribution of the cup, with singing
Call to Participation: "Take, drink! . . ."
The Thanksgiving: Luke 24:13-35
A Hymn of Joyful Thanksgiving: Psalter Hymnal 299, "As We Walk Along Beside
You"
e. From the Writings of John
[The following elements may be used earlier in the service.]
Finding Our Identity: 1 John 1:1-2:2
Bible Song: Psalter Hymnal 218, "In the Beginning Was the Word Eternal"
Forgiven in Christ: 1 John 3:4-5
Prayer of Confession
Following Our Lord: 1 John 3:7-10
Hymn of Testimony: Psalter Hymnal 301, "Taste and See"
The Lord's Supper
Words of Institution: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Bible Song: Psalter Hymnal 231, "How Great Is the Love of the Father"
Prayer of Consecration
The Bread: John 6:35
Distribution of the bread, with singing from Psalter Hymnal 300, "Gift of
Finest Wheat"
Call to Participation: "Take, eat! . . ."
The Cup: John 7:37-38
Distribution of the cup, with singing from Psalter Hymnal 311, "I Come with
Joy to Meet My Lord," and 219, "As Moses Raised the Serpent Up"
Call to Participation: "Take, drink! . . ."
The Thanksgiving: 1 John 3:16-24
A Hymn of Joyful Thanksgiving
f. From the Writings of Paul
[The following elements may be used earlier in the service.]
Celebrating Christ: Ephesians 1:3-8
Testimony of Faith: Psalter Hymnal 479, "I Will Sing of My Redeemer"
Confessing Need: Ephesians 2:1-7
Prayer of Confession
Consecrating Ourselves: Romans 8:5-11
Hymn of Preparation: Psalter Hymnal 291, "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior"
The Lord's Supper
Prayer of Consecration
The Bread: 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
Distribution of the bread, with singing
Call to Participation: "Take, eat! . . ."
The Cup: 1 Corinthians 11:25
Distribution of the cup, with singing
Call to Participation: "Take, drink! . . ."
The Thanksgiving: Romans 12, Ephesians 3:14-21, or Colossians 3:1-17, followed
by a thanksgiving hymn
4. A form adapted from confessional documents and Reformation writings
familiar to the CRC. It includes elements adapted from forms in the Psalter
Hymnal.
The Institution of the Lord's Supper
We give thanks to God the Father that our Savior, Jesus Christ, before he
suffered, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice, until he comes again:
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had
given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you;
do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the
cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever
you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and
drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
The Teaching of the Lord's Supper
[may be spoken by all]
With these words our Lord commands all believers to eat this broken bread
and to drink this cup in true faith and in the confident hope of his return
in glory. In this Supper God declares to us that our sins have been completely
forgiven through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he himself finished
on the cross once for all. He also declares to us that the Holy Spirit grafts
us into Christ, who with his very body is now in heaven at the right hand
of the Father, where he wants us to worship him. (Adapted from the Heidelberg
Catechism, Q&A 75, 80)
The Invitation
Come, therefore, all of you who are truly sorry for your sins, who believe
in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, have confessed his name, and desire to
live in obedience to him. Come eagerly and joyfully, with assurance of faith,
for Christ, our risen Lord, invites you as guests to fellowship with him
at his table. (Adapted from Psalter Hymnal, p. 975)
Prayer of Consecration
[may be offered by all]
Father, we give you thanks for your Son, Jesus Christ, for his willing obedience
and suffering during his life on earth, and especially for his giving up
of his body and blood on the cross. Give us assurance that our sins are
pardoned through his blood. Let your perfect love drive out fear; make us
perfect in your love. Fill our minds with your peace and turn our eyes to
heaven, where Christ is at your right hand interceding for us. Enable us
to offer up ourselves in service to Christ and to all your children. Let
no trouble or sorrow distract us from this loving service, and unite us
with each other through your Spirit so that we may continue in the living
hope of our Savior's coming in glory. Hear us now through our Lord Jesus,
who taught us to pray, saying, "Our Father . . . ." (Adapted from Psalter
Hymnal, p. 980)
The Communion
People of God, let us lift up our hearts to the Lord; let us lift them
up to the God of our salvation.
[As the bread is broken, the minister shall say,]
The bread which we break is a communion of the body of Christ.
[At the eating of the bread, the minister shall say,]
Take, eat, remember, and believe that the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was
given for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.
[Taking the cup, the minister shall say,]
The cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks is a communion of the blood
of Christ.
[At the drinking of the wine, the minister shall say,]
Take, drink, remember, and believe that the precious blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ was shed for the complete forgiveness of all our sins.
[After the communion, all may sing Psalm 103 (Psalter Hymnal 103, 297,
475) or say,]
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise
the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your
sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and
crowns you with love and compassion. (Ps. 103:1-4) "Worthy is the Lamb, who
was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise!" (Rev. 5:12)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
With burning hearts we thank you, Father, for making Christ known to us
in the breaking of bread and in the poured-out wine. Now may this meal enable
us to increase in faith, persevere in hope, and grow up in love. May this
witness to Christ's death draw others into fellowship with him so that all
your children will be gathered in to share with us the joy of your salvation.
Send us out from this place by your Spirit, our ears open to your Word, our
minds alert to the calling you give us, our hearts full of zeal for your
coming kingdom, our voices confessing the name of Jesus, our Lord and our
God. Amen.
Alternate Reading for The Teaching of the Lord's Supper
God meets us in the sacraments, holy acts in which his deeds elicit our
response. . . . In the supper our Lord offers the bread and cup to believers
to guarantee our share in his death and resurrection, and to unite us to
him and to each other. We take this food gladly, announcing as we eat that
Jesus is our life and that he shall come again to call us to the Supper of
the Lamb. (Contemporary Testimony, st. 40)
Alternate Prayer of Consecration
We thank you, O God, that you remembered your promise to reconcile the
world to yourself, that you have come among us in Jesus Christ, the eternal
Word made flesh. As our substitute, he suffered all his years on earth, especially
in the horrible torture of the cross. We thank you that he carried your judgment
on our sin; that his sacrifice removes our guilt; and that he walked out
of the grave, the Lord of life, conqueror of sin and death. Lord Jesus, as
both God and man, be our only Mediator between God and your people. You alone
paid the debt of our sin; there is no other Savior! In you the Father chose
those whom he would save. Now may your electing love sustain our hope: your
grace is free to save us sinners, who offer nothing but our need for mercy.
Stay with us in the Spirit to renew our hearts, move us to faith, lead us
in the truth, stand by us in our need, and make our obedience fresh and vibrant.
(Adapted from Contemporary Testimony, st. 24, 27-28, 31)
Alternate Prayer of Thanksgiving
We thank you, our Lord, for the hope this meal gives us, that Jesus will
return as triumphant King, that the dead will be raised, and that all people
will stand before his judgment. We face that day without fear, for you, our
Judge, are our Savior. May our daily lives of service aim for the moment
when the Son will present his people to the Father and God will be shown
to be true, holy, and gracious. With the whole creation we wait for the purifying
fire of judgment. For then we will see you face to face. You will heal our
hurts, end our wars, and make the crooked straight. Then we will join in
the new song to the Lamb without blemish, who made us a kingdom and priests.
You, our God, will be all in all, righteousness and peace will flourish,
everything will be made new, and every eye will see at last that our world
belongs to God! Hallelujah! Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. (Adapted from Contemporary
Testimony, st. 57-58)
C. Notes on Administering the Lord's Supper
1. As in the case of baptism, it is important that the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper appeal to the senses of the congregation. The actions
of taking and breaking bread and pouring wine should be clearly visible
to the congregation. For this purpose, an uncut loaf of bread may be preferable
to precut pieces. When possible, the bread and wine should be brought to
the table at the beginning of the Lord's Supper liturgy itself--for example,
as part of the offertory.
2. In many congregations it is customary to distribute the elements to
communicants in their seats. The alternative of having people go forward
to receive the elements has much to commend it, since it invites them to
respond actively and physically to the invitation to partake. (Those for
whom walking is difficult would of course continue to be served in their
places.) The old Dutch Reformed practice of going forward to sit at actual
tables may not be feasible in many settings; an effective alternative may
be for the people to form successive circles around the communion table and
receive the elements (or pass them to each other) while standing. Yet another
possibility, especially suitable for large congregations, is for people to
process up the main aisle, receive the elements from persons at designated
stations at the front of the sanctuary, and return to their places by way
of the side aisles. In all cases, distribution can effectively be accompanied
by singing.
3. While the elements are distributed or the people are coming forward
to receive them, Scripture may be read or hymns may be sung. The Psalter
Hymnal has a wide selection of communion hymns (297-314; many additional
suggestions are given in the Topical Index under "Lord's Supper," pp. 1064-1065;
see also "Easter," p. 1058). Here are some additional choices: --161, 550--other
settings of Psalm 23 --190, 193, 257 (Agnus Dei), 536 The following are more
seasonal suggestions for Lord's Supper songs: --Advent-Christmas: 302 (framed
with 640), 341, 478 (Song of Mary) --after Epiphany: 34 (framed with refrain
of 301), 72, 107 (st. 2) --Lent: 298, 310, 578 --Easter: 299, 398 (st. 5),
402 --Pentecost (and after): 104; 516 (st. 2); 523 (st. 3) There is, of course,
much suitable choral music that may be sung during communion, and there are
many organ preludes on communion hymns. For many Lord's Supper services,
however, we recommend congregational singing. Passion hymns are appropriate
during Lent, and Easter hymns are appropriate on all Sundays of the church
year (though some may want to limit the use of alleluias during Lent).
4. The Lord's Supper should be celebrated regularly and frequently as
part of a single liturgy of Word and table.
