Communion Assistant Guide

St. Stephanus Lutheran Church: Communion Assistant Guide

Purpose

Communion assistants help distribute the elements in a dignified and orderly way. Also, such assisting shows that the gift of Holy Communion is not the property of the pastor, but of the church. Assisting with Holy Communion is an example of Reformation doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. However, since the administration of the sacraments is a public act and is thus given to the pastor to administer on behalf of the congregation, it is seen as an extension of the pastor's office. Thus, in the keeping with our synod's doctrine of the office of pastor, only men are allowed to serve in this capacity.

Dress

Please wear dress shoes. Clean your hands. There is a mirror, sink, and mouthwash in the altar guild room.

Duties

After the sermon is complete, immediately exit the sanctuary and robe yourself. Make sure that the fellow communion assistants understand the specific duties (somebody at the altar, somebody with the bread and the blessing of children, somebody with the wine tray. If there are four, two people then take the bread. Also, somebody needs to give the pastor the bread and wine).
As the offering is brought forward, exit the two doors and stand behind the railing, keeping the center aisle open. You may bring your hymnal if you wish to participate in the singing of the liturgy and hymns.
The Communion service will then take place. After the elements have been consecrated, the pastor will share a formal peace with the congregation. If the pastor announces that we will share the peace with each other remain near the altar; the sharing of peace immediately before distributing the elements would not be very sanitary. When the Agnus Dei is sung ("Lamb of God..."), the pastor will invite you to the altar. Stand in front of the kneeler. After he is done giving you communion, then the chosen assistant will give the pastor communion.
The assistant at the altar will take his place. He hands out the elements. He makes sure to fill the wafer plates and the wine cup when the assistants and pastor come to the altar. He wipes each chalice as it is given by the pastor to be refilled. However, don't fill the cup or the plate to the rim; it is easy for wine to spill and wafers to fall off. Fill the cup with wine so that there is at least 1" left to the rim.
The assistant with the bread indicates to those standing at the table that they are to kneel. He then places the wafer into the hands (or mouth) of those requesting it. He speaks words similar to these: "Take and eat, the very body of our Lord given for you for the forgiveness of your sin." If a person does not receive the bread, he/she receives a blessing. In the blessing be tangible and simple. If you touch the person on the head make sure to bless with the left hand (assuming you are distributing the wafer with the right hand) and speak something a child can understand. If you choose not to be switching hands, you may bless the child with the right hand (the free hand) by merely holding the hand over the person (not touching him/her). You can relate the blessing to the sermon, to the hymn that is being sung, or to baptism. When you are done with one table, move on the next table and do the same. Go to the altar when the tray needs to be refilled.
The assistant with the wine tray follows the bread. He merely holds the tray at rail level and when one chooses a cup, he speaks words similar to these: "Take and drink, the very blood of our Lord shed for you for the forgiveness of your sin." Go to the altar when the tray needs to be replaced.
After the last table has communed, go to the altar and give your vessel to the altar communion assistant. Wait there until the pastor has dismissed you.
When everyone returns back to the altar, the assistant at the altar is responsible for returning the bread into the large container, covering the wine cups and the flagon, and then covering all of it with the drape. After all has been covered, he reverences the altar and joins the others near the altar.
The pastor takes his place and dismisses them from the altar. They take their original place and wait there until the closing hymn begins at which point they will exit out the side doors and disrobe.