St. Paul’s Church, Barton, Newport, Isle of Wight

 

Meeting with God over bread and wine

Some may be pleased to know that St. Paul’s has gone traditional!

The words that we now say at the distribution of the bread and wine are taken from the Book of Common Prayer, which is the traditional, and official prayer book of the Church of England authorized by Parliament in 1549.

The words that we now say are: “eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you” and “drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you”.  The full form adds: “and feed on him in your heart by faith and with thanksgiving”.  And that is precisely what we are doing at Holy Communion.  We are reminding ourselves that Jesus died for us.

The Aramaic words that Jesus used, now translated as, “body” and “blood”, recall the flesh and blood of animals offered as sacrifices at the temple.  Jesus was saying that this bread and wine “is my sacrificial offering”.  He is referring to his immanent death for us that will fulfil and replace the sacrifices in the temple.  The bread and the wine is not literally his body or blood.  In 1563 the Church of England ruled that view out of court in the 39 Articles: “Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of bread and wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture”.

When receiving the bread and wine with faith we are “participating” (1 Corinthians 10:16) in the benefits of his death for us. And Jesus is with us in a “heavenly and spiritual” manner, as article 28 of the Thirty Nine Articles states.    

Recently the Vicar wrote to the parents of our Sunday School (Camel Club) about Communion, you might find this explanation helpful.  If you would like more information about Holy Communion, Confirmation or Baptism you are very welcome to contact us.

“A few weeks ago I had the opportunity of speaking with the children of Camel Club about Holy Communion.  It wasn’t really needed.  The children already knew quite a lot about it already.  Everyone at St. Paul’s is very welcome to receive the bread and wine.  This from time to time needs to be made clear, because, in the Church of England, popular opinion, often wrongly encouraged by the clergy, has thought that Confirmation was a kind of entrance pass for Holy Communion.  Thankfully, the Church of England has corrected this misconception.  It is now the official teaching of the Church that children and adults are welcome to receive Holy Communion even though they may not be confirmed.  So I take this opportunity of especially welcoming the children and parents of Camel Club to receive the bread and wine at our church services whenever you wish.

The bread and the wine remind us of Jesus’ last meal with his special friends before his death on the cross for us.  The Bible says that God loves us so much that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.  (John 3:16)  By receiving the bread and wine we receive with simple trust all that God has done for in Jesus.

You may be wondering what Confirmation is all about.  The Church of England welcomes children to Holy Communion unconditionally.  There is the hope that, when they are older, they might like to consider Confirmation.  Adults, also, who have not yet received Confirmation, are welcome to receive Communion unconditionally.  Again, the hope is that they too might like to consider being confirmed when they feel it is right to make this step.  In the Confirmation Service, adults say the vows and promises that their parents and godparents said on their behalf.  It’s an adult decision for God that personally confirms the vows and promises made on our behalf when we were too young to say it for ourselves.  The Bishop usually conducts Confirmations.  Some adults choose Baptism instead, or in addition to Confirmation, whether or not they were baptised as children.  The baptism of adults takes place here at St. Paul’s and is usually conducted by myself.

One or two practical matters remain to be said.  If you would like to start receiving Communion then just do so whenever you feel ready.  You don’t need to let me know.  If you would like your child to receive Communion then please do let me know.  It’s perfectly OK for your child to receive the bread only, if you don’t want him / her to have the taste of wine yet!  The custom is to have you hands cupped at the communion rail.  That’s the sign that let’s me know who wants to receive the bread.  Just take the cup when it arrives if you want the wine too!”

Rev Dr Peter Pimentel

Page last updated 26.11.06