The Liturgy of the Table
There are two parts to an Episcopal Service or Eucharistic rite. The first being the Liturgy of the Word which we discussed last week and second the Liturgy of the Table. This is a convenient, frequently used term for the portion of the Eucharistic Rite which is celebrated at the altar(holy table) titled”The Holy Communion” in the Book of Common Prayer. It consists of four basic actions, preparation of the table; the Eucharistic prayer or Great Thanksgiving; the breaking of the bread and the ministration of communion. These actions are followed by a post communion prayer and a blessing or dismissal.
For a visitor to an Episcopal church “The Holy Communion” may be the hardest part of the service to understand. Most denominations do not have communion every Sunday, limiting it to three or four time a year and considering the Lord’s supper as a symbolic memorial of his death instead of that Christ’s body and blood are truly present.
It starts with the preparation of the table and this starts with the offertory. These are sentences of Scripture, found in the BCP on page 343 and 344 for Rite I and 376 and 377 for Rite II. Ushers will bring the people’s offerings of bread and wine and other gifts to the deacon or celebrant. These will be placed on the altar and the deacon or celebrant will prepare the table. You will see the priest or a deacon uncovering the Chalice and Paten and taking the bread , wine and water from the Crucifer. They will place the wafers on the Paten and pour wine and a little water in the Chalice. They will hand the water back to the Crucifer, who will pour a small amount of water over the priests hands. This is more for interior purification of the priest than it is for physical cleansing.
The Great Thanksgiving starts with a Eucharistic Prayer which could be either prayer I or II in Rite 1 or Prayer A,B,C or D in Rite 2. Prayer I is on page 333 and Prayer II is on page 340 for Rite I, Prayer A is on page 361 with B,C and D start on page 367 for Rite II. You will notice in Prayer A right after the people say “It is right to give him thanks and praise” the instructions read “Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant Proceeds”. At one time the altar would be against the wall so the priest would be facing away from the people, facing the altar, times have changed and it is now proper for the altar to be away from the wall.
The next instructions call for a Proper Preface to be sung or said . A Proper Preface is the continuation of the Prayer just before the bread and wine is consecrated. On most Sundays the Preface that is listed is said but other Prefaces that can be used for the seasons and other occasions can be found on page 377 to 382 in the Book of Common Prayer. As the service continues you will see the celebrant will take the bread and either hold it or lay hands on it and say “ On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread: and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples , and said, Take eat: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” They will then take the cup and say “After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. This part of the service will continue until the Lords Prayer.
The last two actions of the Eucharistic Rite, The Breaking of the Bread and ministration of communion may seem to run together but they are two very special actions. The priest will hold the bread raising it so everyone can see and break it, saying “Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” and the people say “Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.” Then holding the Paten and Cup they will say “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.
Now the ministration of communion starts. This is the most interactive part of the service and for visitors and newcomers can be the most confusing. You may be asking yourself a lot of questions and find it easier to remain in the pew but this is a central event in Episcopal worship so please join in, the Lord invites you. The method of distribution of communion will be a little different depending on local customs of the Episcopal church you are in so the best practice is often to simply to follow the person in front of you and do what they do. In Episcopal churches everyone is welcome at the table, no matter what your faith and if you are not sure if you have been baptisted, don’t worry we don’t ask. Once you get to the altar rail you should kneel but if this is difficult you may stand. To receive the bread make a cross or cradle with your hands, palms up, when the celebrant places the bread in your open hand and says “The body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven” eat the bread. The wine will be served in a large cup or chalice as a sign of unity. Assist the celebrant by placing one hand underneath the cup and the other hand on its side to help the server guide the chalice to your lips. I know what you are thinking, won’t I get sick sharing a communion cup with all these people. Really, it is not as hazardous as you might think. We use real wine and then some; we use fortified wine such as port. This has a high alcohol content, killing off most every germ. You are more likely to get sick from airborne infection than from a shared chalice. If you still aren’t sure about the chalice you may dip the bread or wafer in the wine, this is called intinction, this is from the latin word intingere which means “to dip”. If you are still uncomfortable drinking the wine ( or are a recovering alcoholic), this is not essential to receiving Christ at Communion. Episcopalians believe Christ is equally present in both the consecrated bread and the wine, so receiving one, the other, or both, gets you no more or less of Christ’s presence. Pastoral blessings are available for children or adults who are not communing. Simply cross your arms over your chest if you wish to receive a blessing.
Once you have communed you may return to your pew. This is a good time to join in singing the remaining communion hymns, or pray in silence. Once everyone has taken communion, here at St. Andrews you may notice the ministers disappearing for a few minutes. What they are doing is taking the wine and bread to those in the Episcopal Home and anyone who might be using the soft space. We like to refer to it as taking communion out into the world.
The last part of the service is the post communion prayer, the blessing and dismissal. The post communion prayer is always said by all and the priest or bishop if present will give a blessing. Once the procession gets to the back of the church the priest or deacon will dismiss us with these words “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord” and the people respond Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Now it is time for the third sacrament , COFFEE HOUR!