Holy Communion
What is Holy Communion?
Holy Communion, also called The Eucharist, is a sacrament which was established by Jesus on the night before he went to the cross. You may have heard that event referred to as the Last Supper. He told his followers that we are to continue celebrating this meal in "remembrance" of him. In the Eucharist the priest uses Jesus' own words as he prays over bread and wine, and then everyone takes some bread and drinks a little wine.
Jesus told us that when we do this, that the bread is His body, which he gave up to torture on the cross, and the wine is his blood which he shed for us. When we celebrate Holy Communion we are holding up Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the word used in the bible which is translated "remembrance" (ἀνάμνησις - anamnesis) actually means to make the past a present reality, and so when we have holy communion, we are present at the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross - where he really did give up his body and shed his blood once for all. This is why the Eucharist is also sometimes called the Eucharistic Sacrifice - not because we think we are sacrificing Jesus over and over again each time we have communion, but because each time we celebrate Communion we recall and become present at His one, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
Because we trust Jesus when he told us that "This is my body" and "This is my blood", when we receive the elements at Communion, we know that we receive not only bread and wine, but the real presence of Christ present in those elements. At communion we receive special kind of grace from God - we actually enter direct communion with God through receiving Jesus into our own bodies through the elements. It is a meal which strengthens the soul, and rejuvenates us on our journey of faith.
Who can receive Communion? Do I need to be Confirmed?
While in the past, Anglicans were required to have been Confirmed before they received communion, this is no longer the case - if you have been baptised, are old enough to understand what Communion is and would like to receive - please join us at the Altar.
What about Children?
If your child has been baptised and is old enough to understand (at a level appropriate for their age) then please speak to Rev. Nathan about them receiving Communion.
I'm not an Anglican - can I receive Communion?
In the Anglican Church, we practice what is called "open communion" this means that people of all Christian denominations are welcome to receive the sacrament, so if you aren't an Anglican, but are visiting our church and would normally receive Communion in your own church, please feel free to join us in receiving the Sacrament.
When can I receive Communion?
We normally celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday and every Wednesday morning at St John's. There is also a service on Saturday evening. You can check our the Worship page to find our service times.
Holy Communion, also called The Eucharist, is a sacrament which was established by Jesus on the night before he went to the cross. You may have heard that event referred to as the Last Supper. He told his followers that we are to continue celebrating this meal in "remembrance" of him. In the Eucharist the priest uses Jesus' own words as he prays over bread and wine, and then everyone takes some bread and drinks a little wine.
Jesus told us that when we do this, that the bread is His body, which he gave up to torture on the cross, and the wine is his blood which he shed for us. When we celebrate Holy Communion we are holding up Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the word used in the bible which is translated "remembrance" (ἀνάμνησις - anamnesis) actually means to make the past a present reality, and so when we have holy communion, we are present at the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross - where he really did give up his body and shed his blood once for all. This is why the Eucharist is also sometimes called the Eucharistic Sacrifice - not because we think we are sacrificing Jesus over and over again each time we have communion, but because each time we celebrate Communion we recall and become present at His one, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
Because we trust Jesus when he told us that "This is my body" and "This is my blood", when we receive the elements at Communion, we know that we receive not only bread and wine, but the real presence of Christ present in those elements. At communion we receive special kind of grace from God - we actually enter direct communion with God through receiving Jesus into our own bodies through the elements. It is a meal which strengthens the soul, and rejuvenates us on our journey of faith.
Who can receive Communion? Do I need to be Confirmed?
While in the past, Anglicans were required to have been Confirmed before they received communion, this is no longer the case - if you have been baptised, are old enough to understand what Communion is and would like to receive - please join us at the Altar.
What about Children?
If your child has been baptised and is old enough to understand (at a level appropriate for their age) then please speak to Rev. Nathan about them receiving Communion.
I'm not an Anglican - can I receive Communion?
In the Anglican Church, we practice what is called "open communion" this means that people of all Christian denominations are welcome to receive the sacrament, so if you aren't an Anglican, but are visiting our church and would normally receive Communion in your own church, please feel free to join us in receiving the Sacrament.
When can I receive Communion?
We normally celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday and every Wednesday morning at St John's. There is also a service on Saturday evening. You can check our the Worship page to find our service times.
