This post has been simmering on the back burner for a number of weeks now. Shortly after Easter, a friend described to me the experience she had when visiting another church where communion was celebrated during the service. We often use that phrase, “celebrating communion” (or ‘the Lord’s supper’ or whatever term you use) but what she described to me was far from celebratory. Although her family was visiting, no welcoming or encouraging smile (or hint of one) crossed the face of the one serving her the bread and cup. Communion seemed almost funereal in atmosphere, and all that on Easter Sunday!
I know there are strong feelings on this subject on both ends of the ‘celebration spectrum’ and everywhere in between. Maybe that’s why I’ve been putting off writing this for a few days now, but the time has come to get my thoughts out. Back in 2007, I attended a music and worship conference here in Winnipeg at Canadian Mennonite University. The final gathering of the conference was worship that included communion. We assembled in the auditorium to the sounds of live klezmer music. It set the tone for what turned out to be a most memorable celebration. The fact that I can still remember and describe it to you 5 years later is testimony to that! The room was set up with the chairs in a U around a few smaller tables in the center. When we got to the place in the service to receive the bread and cup, there were 4 or more ‘stations’ of servers. People went to the station closest to where they were seated. I would describe the atmosphere as thoughtful, but not funereal. I can’t recall what hymns were sung, or what music, if any, was played while we all took the bread and cup. I do remember my overall feeling of thanks for Christ’s sacrifice, and joy for the gift of salvation that is mine. At the end of the service, joyful music propelled us from the auditorium out into the hallway where long banquet tables were spread with an abundance of food. The celebration continued as conference attendees ate and visited together.
I would like to see this kind of communion service happen more often. Personally, I don’t feel that celebrating is an inappropriate way to remember Christ’s death. After all, it is because of His death and resurrection that we have hope and joy for this life and the next! I’m also not suggesting that every service of the Lord’s supper be done this way. There is room for variety in worship on this topic as much as any other.
The Book of Praise has a few hymns which can be sung and/or played with joy to bring this dimension to your worship. They are:
#524 We come as guests invited
(don’t let the word ‘solemn’ in verse 1 throw you off!)
#528 Jesus calls us here to meet him
#529 O holy Father, God most dear
(tune is great; words are a little less contemporary)
#530 I come with joy
#534 All who hunger, gather gladly
(don’t go too fast; the words can be a challenge to fit in)
#555 Worship the Lord
#557 Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast
(I especially like the final verse)
#563 Let us talents and tongues employ
(my personal favourite!)
Interesting – more than half of these hymns are either folk/traditional tunes or in dance rhythms of 3/4 or 6/8.
(If you’re wondering why I haven’t written here for awhile, you can read about a project I’ve been working on, and view some photos here.)
