During his earthly ministry, one of the primary ways in which Jesus showed God's love and acceptance for everyone was by eating and drinking with people of all kinds.
Since Jesus commanded his disciples to eat and drink often in remembrance of him and since merry eating and drinking will be part of our joy and celebration with Christ in heaven, the meal of Holy Communion is an important part of almost every service of worship at Emmanuel.
We invite all baptized Christians who have once been admitted to the Sacrament of Holy Communion in their own church and who believe with us that the body and blood of Christ is truly present in the bread and wine and who affirm with us that it offers forgiveness of sins, unites us as Christ's body, and sends us out to mission in the world to come forward and to receive the bread and wine with us.
The bread is usually given in the form of wafers. However on certain occasions whole bread is used. The wine is distributed both in a common chalice and in individual glasses.
Several glasses of white grape juice is also always included in the tray of individual glasses for those who need or prefer it. There are also non-gluten, non-wheat, non-dairy communion wafers available for those on a restricted diet. Simply speak to the pastor before the service or state your desire for a non-wheat wafer at the communion rail.
Non-communing children and adults may come forward for a blessing. Please indicate this by crossing your arms across your chest in the form of an “X”.
Communion for the home-bound by pastoral visits and through lay Eucharistic Ministers is available upon request.