Posture and Gestures
During the service, traditionally we stand to sing, sit to listen and kneel to pray. While there is some variation and blending of these distinctions, the service bulletin and priest will be clear with directions. At any time, you are welcome to simply sit or stand, as your comfort and physical needs may require. Our service is highly interactive with congregational responses, prayers, etc. and we invite you to participate in the service as you feel comfortable. You will notice that in the bulletin the people’s responses are printed in boldface italic type. There is no one right way to do anything. Be comfortable. Try something new. Let others do what they need to do as you do what you need to do.
Receiving the Bread and Wine of Holy Communion
The bread and wine are the most powerful signs the church has to express the presence and work of God in the world and our lives. A special meal between friends, an everyday activity, food prepared with crushing and fermenting, Body and Blood – all add to our understanding of God’s presence. If you wish to receive the body of Christ please come to the Altar rail when the ushers
indicate that it is time for your row to go forward. You may stand or kneel at the Altar railas permitted by your physical ability. Hold out your hands to take the wafer of bread. You may eat the bread immediately, or you may wait and receive it with the wine. To take teh bread with the wine, you may elevate your hands with the wafer to the priest, he will take it and dip it in the wine for you and place it in your tongue. You may chose to do it yourself and “intinctic” it in the bowl the priest holds for you. Or you may wait for the chalice bearer to comes by, and sip the wine from the chalice. If you prefer to skip the wine, just consume the bread when it is placed in your hand, then cross your arms over your chest until the chalice bearer has passed you. You may then get up and return to your seat.
If you do not wish to take the bread and/or wine, you are invited to come to the Altar rail and receive a blessing. Indicate this desire by folding your arms over your chest.