A question from one of our churches: I'm a deacon. How do I serve communion to someone who is in the hospital or at home and unable to come to church?
We're glad you asked that question! It says a lot about you and your community of faith. As you know, the term "deacon" in the New Testament means "table servant." Historically, the deacon has had three tables at which s/he ministered: the table of the poor, the table of the minister, the Lord's Table. This latter one is what we're talking about here.
There are a lot of good resources that offer guidelines for this type of service, so you might want to look at a minister's manual or the service book of your tradition. If you don't have access to one of those, we'd like to offer the following as a place to begin your own thinking.
Unlike some Christian traditions, which use a fourfold form (where the elements of the bread and wine are both taken, blessed, broken/poured, and given at the same time); our tradition commonly uses an eightfold form (each element is treated separtately and is taken, blessed, broken/poured and given.) We've given the eightfold form here. If you generally use the fourfold form, you'll need to make the appropriate adjustments.
Ministry to the homebound or hospitalized needs to be tailored to the situation. The person might be very weak and tire easily, or s/he might be quite strong. You'll need to gauge the length of your visit accordingly. If there are family members or friends present, invite them to join you. (If you're in a hospital, don't forget the person in the next bed, either.)
I. Introduction:
You are here as a representative of the congregation, acting on their behalf and as their servant. As you begin, you might want to express the church's love for the person(s) and tell them that even though they are not able to attend, they are still an important part of your community of faith. For this reason, the congregation wants to include them in the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
Get everything ready before you begin. Set out the bread, pour the wine.
II. Prayer:
You can begin with a blessing of the person(s). Something like this, tailored to the needs of the situation:
Lord, we remember your love and tenderness toward all people and especially your compassion for those who were sick. I'd like to thank you this afternoon for N_________, who means so much to us at [your church name]. Even though s/he is not able to be present at our gatherings, s/he will always be a part of us. Bless our time together and the meal that we will share. May it be a source of comfort for N_______ and through it, may s/he be reminded of your constant love and your abiding presence. In Christ's name we pray, amen.
III. Scripture Reading:
Depending on the situation, you might want to read one or more scripture selections.
A. You might ask the person if there's a special passage that s/he would like you to read. You might also ask if the person has a special Bible that s/he would like you to use.
B. You might also want to read one or more passages to lead into the Supper. Some possibilities are: Psalm 116:12-14,16-17; Isaiah 53:3-6; Mark 14:17, 22-25; Luke 24:13-35; John 6:35, 51, 53-55; Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-11; I Corinthians 1:18- 25; II Corinthians 5:14-21; I Timothy 2:5-6.
IV: The Lord's Supper:
A. Invitation to the table: Begin by saying something like, "Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.' Let us celebrate his gift to us."
B: The bread: begin by reading the Scripture account. We've used I Corinthians 11:23-26, but you could also use Matthew 26:26-29 or Mark 14: 22-26.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
Let us pray: Lord, we thank you for the gift of your life, given so that we might know the height, depth, and width of God's love for us. Thank you for your life and ministry, for your sacrificial death, for your resurrection and for the promise that all who believe in you will have new and abundant life.
Break the bread (if necessary) and serve the person. Then serve yourself. Say, "Eat all of it, in remembrance of him."
C: The cup: Again, start with the scripture account:
I Corinthians 11:25-26 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Let us pray: We thank you for the gift of your blood, poured out so that we could understand God's desire to reconcile us. Thank you for making us a part of your family and for giving us the privilege of knowing you as our brother and savior.
Pass the cup to the person and then serve yourself. Say, "Drink all of it, in remembrance of him."
As you conclude, repeat the final words of the passage to bring the service to an end: "For as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again."
V. Conclusion
End by telling the person how much it has meant to you to be able to share this special meal with him/her. Remind him/her again that s/he is still an important part of the family of faith and that s/he has not been forgotten.
Close with a final prayer and blessing:
Lord, we thank you for this time together and for N_______. We ask that you would be with him/her and keep him/close to you. Surround him/her with your love and keep him/her safe in the assurance that you will never leave him/her or forsake him/her. Strengthen him/her with the assurance of your continuing care. In Christ's name we pray, amen.