Eucharist

• Luke 22: 17-20 GNT: 'Then Jesus took a cup, gave thanks to God, and said, "Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you that from now on I will not drink this wine until the Kingdom of God comes."'
• Luke 17-20 GNT: 'Then he took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me." In the same way, he gave them the cup after the supper, saying, "This cup is God's new covenant sealed with my blood, which is poured out for you.'
• Transubstantiation


  'Substance' means to change 'essence'
• Transubstantiation is the Roman Catholic belief that the bread and wine change substance into Jesus' flesh and blood, so that Christians can take part in his sacrifice.
• Mass services


  • Of central importance
  • The bread and wine will be prepared on an altar
  • The service must be led by a priest
  • Services are liturgical and include set prayers and responses
  • The bread, once consecrated is known as the host
  • Those in the congregation who are in a state of grace will go up to the priest and receive the host
• Real Presence


  The Church of England belief that Jesus is spiritually present in the bread and wine, through the power of the Holy Spirit
• Holy Communion


  • Service is led by the priest
  • It is liturgical (includes set prayers and responses)
  • Bread and wine is prepared on an altar
  • Some Churches will use bells etc, others will be more informal
• Belief in Remembrance


  • In Baptist Churches the focus of communion or the Lord's Supper is remembrance
  • It also looks forward to the future hope of God's Kingdom of Heaven
  • The Lord's Supper is an important symbol
  • Those who profess to follow Jesus can partake
• The Lord's Supper


  • Non-alcoholic wine is usually used
  • A church member can lead the service, it doesn't have to be a priest
  • The bread and wine is distributed along rows
  • The wine is in small cups and the congregation drink at the same time to symbolise unity in the church
• Why practise Eucharist?


  • It is a way of receiving God's grace
  • It is a way of remembering Jesus' sacrifice
  • It is a way of looking forward
  • It unites the church