Last month we looked at the importance of bread and wine in the communion service. We thought a little about the symbolism involved and about how the service first started. One of the things we noted was that the first communion ‘services’ were probably informal meals during which one of the leaders would re-enact the breaking of bread and sharing of wine. In one of Paul’s letters he talks about how this should take place:

This little passage from the first letter to the Corinthians could be regarded as the first guidebook on how to take a communion service. Paul talks about the fact he is doing something that Jesus did, and he also pictures the church continuing to share bread and wine until the Lord comes again.

In many churches these words form an important part of the communion service. The are often known as the Words of Institution, because they describe how Jesus instituted, or began, the tradition of sharing bread and wine. Some Christians do not regard the bread and wine as having been consecrated, or blessed, unless these words have been used. If you listen carefully, you will hear the Words of Institution as part of a special prayer known as the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Eucharistic Prayer: The word Eucharist means ‘thanksgiving’. This idea of ‘giving thanks’ has always been an important part of celebrating communion. In the early church a prayer of thanksgiving would be said over the bread and wine, thanking God for all his gifts in creation, but also more specifically for his work of salvation, culminating in the life and death of Jesus. Once the prayer had been said, all the people would complete the prayer by saying "Amen" - a Hebrew word meaning "So be it", or "Yes, I agree!"

In the early church there were Bishops in every church, and only the Bishops were allowed to lead the church in celebrating Holy communion. They did not have to use set Eucharistic Prayers, and were allowed to make them up as they went along! Sooner or later, however, church leaders became nervous that strange ideas were beginning to creep into the prayers of certain Bishops. Today, most churches have set forms of Eucharistic Prayers that they insist are used by their ministers. The church of England has several, and the new collection of materials known as Common Worship will probably introduce six new ones!

The Manual Acts: As well as repeating the words of Jesus, many ministers will also repeat his actions. These are known as the manual acts, because they all involve hands...

Bread is therefore:

You might like to look out for these actions on a Sunday morning...