Sacraments in the worship service

Eating and Drinking Judgment on Yourself - When Do You Do That?

Eating and Drinking Judgment on Yourself - That's a scary question. People have stayed at home because of this, they did not dare to partake of the Lord’s Supper. This article explains what's involved.

The Heart of Holy Communion

What is the "Great Prayer of Thanksgiving"? What is the significance of this "Eucharistic prayer" for Reformed worship? This article reflects on this central prayer in the celebration of Holy Communion.

The Communion Circle

This article reflects on different practices in celebration of the Lord's Supper as part of public worship.

The Festive Meal in Christ's Congregation

The Lord's Supper should be celebrated with joy, since in it we experience the presence of Christ, a reminder of the coming feast of the Lamb, and the fellowship of believers. It must be a festive meal, and should have a special place in the liturgy. This article also looks at the celebration of the Holy Communion in the early church and at the time of the Reformation.

A Guide to Reformed Worship – Baptism

This article is about the administering of baptism in the worship service.

A Guide to Reformed Worship – The Lord’s Supper

This article is about the administration of the Lord's Supper as part of the worship service.

"Word and Sacraments"

What is the relationship between Word and sacraments in the worship service? This article explains that the sacraments confirm the Word, and thus should follow it. The author also gives some thought to the way in which the sacraments are administered.

The Lord's Supper – How Often?

In most Reformed and Presbyterian churches, the Lord's Supper is celebrated infrequently—usually four to six times a year. This article reflects on this practice and considers the benefit of a more frequent celebration.

Home Communion

Is home communion an acceptable practice? This article considers the practice of home communion for the sick and shut-ins.

Where's the Font?

Do you know where the baptismal font is in your church? The article reflects on the importance of baptism as sacrament that reminds believers of their bond with God.

At the Table of the Covenant: The Lord's Supper

This article considers various aspects of the Lord's Supper. As an institution of Christ, it is a meal of remembrance, proclaims the death of Christ, prompts expectation for the future, and is a communal meal. The article also considers the "Forms for Lord's Supper" as used by various churches in the Continental Reformed tradition. It ends with some discussion questions.

Sip It, Don't Dip It

The practice of intinction is the dipping of the bread into the wine and then consuming both together at the Lord's Supper. This article makes the case why this practice should not be followed, in light of the instruction of the Lord Jesus.

Guests at the Lord’s Supper

This article gives the decision of the Reformed churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) about guests at the Lord’s Supper and fencing the table.

Different Flavors for Different Seasons: Six Service Plans for Celebrating the Lord's Supper throughout the Church Year (Page 2 of 2)

This is the second part of an article that offers service plans for celebrating the Lord's Supper throughout the church year.

Lift Up Your Hearts...and Voices: Involving the Congregation in the Communion Liturgy through Song

This article offers resources for the preparation of the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Recognizing the Body: Discovering That the Church Is Bigger Than My Own Tradition

The liturgical form for the celebration of the Lord's Supper includes the call to "discern the body" (1 Corinthians 11). This article reflects on the significance of this biblical call for the way a church celebrates the Lord's Supper.

Different Flavors for Different Seasons: Six Service Plans for Celebrating the Lord's Supper throughout the Church Year (Page 1 of 2)

This article offers support for worship planning by providing six service plans for celebrating the Lord's Supper throughout the church year.

Weekly Communion: One Church's Experiment

How often should communion be celebrated in communal worship? This article reflects on one church's experiment with weekly communion.

Old-Fashioned Innovations: There's More Than One Way to Celebrate the Lord's Supper

Each congregation ought to reflect on how it celebrates communion. The way the elements are distributed should not be out of custom or superstition, but for sound theological and pastoral reasons. This article surveys some of the practices in the time of the Reformation.

Until He Comes – Six Themes for the Lord's Supper

This article considers six important themes that reflect the significance of the celebration of the Lord's Supper: remembrance, proclamation, fellowship, self-examination, thanksgiving, expectation.

All in the Family

Baptism should be a momentous experience for the family, for the person (when an adult or older child is baptized), and for the congregation, who are not just witnesses but participants in this sacrament. This article considers baptism as a celebration to be remembered.

Let's Put the Communion Back into Christmas

The Church Order of Dort (1618) calls for Christmas Communion. This article reflects on the old tradition of celebrating communion during the Christmas season.

Easter Baptism – An Ancient Tradition

This article traces the history of Easter baptism in the church and urges Western Christians to reexamine and perhaps reform their own baptismal customs.

Bread and Matzos?

This article looks at the reasons the Passover Feast was celebrated with unleavened bread. It draws implications for the church in its celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and considers whether it is proper to use bread or matzos.

Music With Bread and Wine

What songs should accompany the celebration of the Lord's Supper? This article looks at the history of the celebration of the Lord's Supper before the Reformation and after the Reformation, with focus on the music accompanying the Lord's Supper. This article argues that songs of joy should resound during this time of the meal, and that liturgy must be structured accordingly.

Grateful Words: The Eucharistic Prayer Is the Table Grace of the People of God

This article reflects on how the prayer at the communion table when celebrating the Lord's Supper cradles the church's central, basic affirmations concerning the knowledge of God, the person and work of Christ, and the life and ministry of the church in the power of the Spirit.

Pulpit or Table: Pick Any Two: The Church Needs Both to Be Well Fed

This article wants to give encouragement to learn to cherish both preaching and the sacraments.

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