Lesson 36 Eucharist Feeds Us Every Week Wondering and Learning In the Episcopal Church, we celebrate the Holy Eucharist (or Holy Communion) every Sunday in church. Some churches also celebrate Eucharist on weekdays. The Eucharist is the celebration and prayer of the whole Church. Today, we will focus on how we continue to remember and reenact that supper, as Jesus had commanded us to do. How do we celebrate this sacrament in our church? And why do we call it a celebration? Why should we do this every week in remembrance of Jesus, and what does it mean when we do it? Where You ll Find Today s Theme In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Luke 22:7-23 (The Last Supper) In the Book of Common Prayer Holy Eucharist II, pp. 355-382, with Holy Communion beginning on p. 361 Catechism, pp. 859-860 Key Concept The celebration of the Eucharist and what it means
2 Lesson 36 Eucharist Feeds Us Every Week Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Growing in Faith If, as John Westerhoff says in A People Called Episcopalians (New York, NY: Morehouse Publishing, 1996), we are as we worship, then the Eucharist as the worship of the Church tells us supremely what we are. We are a community offering praise and thanksgiving to God, offering our obedience to our Lord s command to Do this, making our commitment to him in our confession of faith, and offering up ourselves (through the offering of Christ himself) to God. In Introduction to Christian Worship (Nashville: Abingdon Press 1990, p. 240), James White identifies five New Testament Eucharistic themes: thanksgiving, communal fellowship, commemoration, sacrifice and presence. He then adds two more: the work of the Holy Spirit and the eschatological dimension. Central to Holy Communion is the theme of thanksgiving, which is the translation of the Greek word eucharist. This is a prayer to God and often gives thanks to God as creator as well as redeemer. With thanksgiving comes sacrifice, the reason for our thanksgiving to God. The Old Testament connection to sacrifice is the meal of the Passover; all New Testament accounts see Christ as the new paschal lamb of sacrifice. However, Christ s sacrifice differs from temple worship and sacrifice in that it was a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world (Book of Common Prayer, p. 334). Another theme is that of the proclamation of our faith through the story of God s saving acts. In ages past, God entered into our lives and brought us salvation through mighty acts in the world. These acts had their fulfillment in the saving act of Christ on the cross, in his death and resurrection. At this time, we recount these acts, and especially Christ s oblation, not as a thing of the past but as a part of our present lives. We then recall or reenact the sacrifice of Christ in his death and resurrection. The church offers and receives the bread and cup, which are truly the body and blood of Christ, through the act of the words of institution. The Reformed (Protestant) churches see the rite as simply a commemoration of Christ s sacrificial act and redeeming work in the past. The Anglican churches, including the Episcopal Church befitting their middle way (via media) position in the faith mention both the real presence and the commemoration, the once-offered sacrifice and the re-presenting of this sacrifice, at the same time. Side by side with this movement of the past into the real present is an eschatological dimension which brings us to the future God s future and the fulfillment of God s plans with us....and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom (BCP, p. 363) or In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country... (BCP, p. 369) The horizontal relationship our communal fellowship in Christ and with Christ is one which is often overlooked in our prayers at Eucharist. But the rite began as a fellowship meal with the community. This communal fellowship is essential to the Eucharist and guides our sense of the Christian life beyond the rite and the walls of the church. One important implication of the communal aspect of the Eucharist is that we are called to a particular pattern of Christian life, that of commitment to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. The vertical dimension of the Eucharist our relationship with God in the redeeming work of Christ is, of course, the whole point of the prayer of the church. But the horizontal dimension our
3 Lesson 36 Eucharist Feeds Us Every Week Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 relationship with one another in community is the other part. There needs to be a balance of connection with God and with our neighbors. After all, the Great Commandment that Jesus reminded us about is Love the Lord your God... and your neighbors as yourselves. Both of these are here in the Eucharistic Prayer and in the action of the Eucharist. (It is sharing, after all!). The Episcopal Thread In the Episcopal Church, the Holy Eucharist is one of the two great sacraments, the other being Holy Baptism. According to the 1979 Prayer Book, Eucharist is to be celebrated every Sunday. The weekly offering of bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ, is intended to feed us and nourish us throughout the week. Gathering Check-In Invite the group members to sit comfortably, giving them an opportunity to visit with each other, establish friendships and build community. Relationships are an important dimension of Christian formation, so a few minutes of visiting will enrich their spiritual development. This is also the perfect time to check in with your group members by asking them to share how they are feeling at the time or what kind of a week they had. Because the Eucharist is so important, it is also often celebrated at other special occasions, such as weddings and funerals. For an explanation of Holy Eucharist, see the Catechism on pages 859-860 in the Prayer Book. A great number of hymns in The Hymnal 1982 (New York, NY: Church Publishing, 1985, #300-347) enrich our theology of the Eucharist.
4 Lesson 36 Eucharist Feeds Us Every Week Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 matches cross Prayer Materials: small table with cloth to cover it taper or pillar candle After all the group members have a few minutes of fellowship time, gather them together for a simple opening prayer. Ask one of the members to light the candle while saying these words from Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Explain that you are inviting the light of God to be with all of you. (You might consider posting this verse from Psalm 119 in the meeting room). Invite the member who lit the candle to read this prayer: O God, we gather in thanksgiving, in peace, and in friendship. Guide our hearts and our minds that we may learn and love the gift that you gave to us in your Holy Communion, through your Son Jesus Christ. Be with all of us here today, and stay with us as we take your teachings with us into the world. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Carefully extinguish the candle. Telling the Story, Exploring the Theme Set the scene: With the priest s permission, have a chalice and a paten on the table for display. In addition, have some bread and juice ready to pass around after reading the passage from the Bible. Read the story of Jesus Last Supper with his disciples from the Bible or tell it in your own words. Then pass around the bread and juice. All of the activities that follow deal with one or more aspects of the Eucharist; therefore, there will be ample time later to discuss the meaning and significance of the sacrament. Note: Most youth in church school have probably received the Holy Communion, as our canon law allows communion to be given to all baptized Christians (regardless of age or faith denomination). However, even though they are able to receive communion as soon as they are baptized, you need to be sensitive to those who have not yet received communion. The priest who presides at the altar uses certain movements during the Eucharistic Prayer. If you can, arrange for a priest to visit your group and explain what these movements mean and why he or she does them. Or you may invite a deacon to visit, to explain his or her functions at the Eucharist. Your group may be interested to know that the word eucharist comes from the Greek word meaning thanksgiving. We are giving thanks to God for showing us how to be in union (communion) with God through the Eucharist. If you have a chalice, invite group members to practice receiving the bread and the wine. Show them: how to hold their hands to receive the bread
5 Lesson 36 Eucharist Feeds Us Every Week Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 how to tip the chalice toward their lips how to offer the bread to be dipped into the wine how to cross their hands over their chest if they want only one of the elements or if they desire neither bread nor wine but want a blessing by the priest Activities for This Week s Session Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc. Select one or more activities to supplement and enhance today s story. For each lesson, there are five suggested activities, one from each of the REACT categories. For a detailed explanation of REACT, see page 10 of the Introduction. All activities are meant to reinforce the concepts that were central to the day s lesson. Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 2-6 in the Appendix where we ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.
6 Lesson 36 Eucharist Feeds Us Every Week Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Weaving Our Faith Lesson Box Materials: 1 3" x 5" index card for the day s scribe pen or pencil a file box in which to store the cards Ask for a volunteer or assign a group member to act as scribe. Then, ask the group to articulate the most important lesson gleaned from the day s reading. As a prompt, you might ask: Why is the Eucharist so important to our lives as Christians? What do you now know about Communion that you did not know before? Once the group has agreed on its wording, ask the scribe to write the lesson on the card, date it, and file it in the box. By the end of the year, you will have a wonderful and thorough summation of the lessons covered in the participant s own words. Closing Prayer Before the group leaves, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with God s love and blessing. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: Gracious God, it is in the Eucharist that we know of your love for us. Each time we celebrate, each time we remember Jesus sacrifice for us, each time we share in the fellowship of our church, we are drawn closer to you. Send us now back to our families and friends and neighbors so that we can love them as you love us, in Jesus name. Amen. End the session with a dismissal that is used in church, such as: The peace of the Lord be always with you. The participants respond: And also with you.
CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST AND FRIENDSHIP Group members (with the group leader and some parent volunteers) spend a night in the church to celebrate the Eucharist and spend some time both in fellowship and quiet prayer. Materials: Each participant will need to bring the items necessary for a sleep-over: bed roll or sleeping bag and pillow change of clothes brown bag meal flashlight personal items (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, etc.) breakfast (to be provided by the church or by the parents) faith journals Preparation: This, clearly, is an event that will take some planning. Not only do you have to choose dates and times with the rector, but you will need to line up volunteers and a person who can guide everyone through the service. The next part is crucial, especially with adolescents. If they are given a share in the responsibility and planning of the event, they will be much more invested in its success, therefore spend some time talking with your group about the advantages and purpose of doing such a group activity. What do you want to accomplish? What do you expect? Which prayers do you want to use? Do you want to sing some hymns? How do we respect the rite of and celebrate the Eucharist while, at the same time, have fun enjoying the fellowship of our friends? What is the role of quiet time during the evening? Directions: 1. Once in the space for the evening, talk briefly about the order of the evening. It s important that it have some structure, however loose, so that the group s goals and purpose are accomplished. However, try not to make the evening so regimented that it feels more like an assignment and not like a celebration of the gifts of the Eucharist and friends. 7 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
2. Encourage the youth to compose prayers on the spot: when saying grace, during the service, when reading the Prayers of the People, or as a final blessing before going to sleep. 3. Finally, if the group members have faith journals, encourage them to write about their experiences in the journals. Close: Discuss: Which does the group prefer: sharing their experiences with others in a newsletter article or on the website, or keeping it as a private memory for the group? 8 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued
OF ALTARS AND ABLUTIONS Group members learn about the sacrament of the Eucharist and will tour the Sacristy. Materials: copies of the Communion Terms List (p. 10), 1 per participant pens and pencils Preparation: Arrange with the Altar Guild for the group to take a tour of the Sacristy, where the Communion items are kept. Ask a priest or a deacon to meet with the group to explain Communion in more detail. If possible, arrange for the group to take part in the service, especially during Communion. Some suggestions are: setting up the altar bringing up the elements helping to serve Communion standing by the priest at the altar while the Communion prayers are read clearing the altar watching ablutions being done Directions: 1. Ask the rector or deacon (ahead of time) to talk briefly about the importance of Communion in the service as well as the different prayers that are spoken and what they mean. 2. Distribute pens or pencils and the Communion Terms List. Then ask the guest to display and explain the many items used in preparing and serving Communion. 3. Ask group members to check off each term as it is used or demonstrated. 9 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
COMMUNION TERMS LIST Chalice Ciborium Credence Cruet Elements Eucharist Flagon Fraction Host Lavabo bowl Pall Paten Piscina Purificator Sacrament Sacristy Veil 10 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued
THE EUCHARIST AND THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER Group members read over the Eucharistic Prayer and identify its main themes. Materials: copies of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) copies of The Eucharist and the Book of Common Prayer worksheet (p. 12), 1 per participant pens or pencils Preparation: Make enough copies of The Eucharist and the Book of Common Prayer worksheet (p. 12) for all group members. Note: This activity is well-suited for the members working in pairs. Directions: 1. Read over or summarize the section of the lesson s introduction that explains the themes of the Eucharist: 2. In Introduction to Christian Worship (Nashville: Abingdon Press 1990, p. 240), James White identifies five New Testament eucharistic themes: thanksgiving, communal fellowship, commemoration, sacrifice and presence. He then adds two more: the work of the Holy Spirit and the eschatological dimension. 3. Understanding these themes is the key to understanding the Rite of the Eucharist. But understanding these themes is also difficult! The worksheet will point out, one by one, where in the service, each theme appears. In this way, the message and reasoning behind the sacrament should become easier to grasp. Allow about 15 minutes for this activity. Then, bring the group back together to talk over their answers. 11 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
THE EUCHARIST AND THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER Turn to page 355 in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). After each of the terms below, you will find a page number. From each of those pages, copy the line(s) you feel best match the meaning or purpose of the word or phrase. Thanksgiving (p. 356) Proclamation of Faith (p. 358) Communal Fellowship (p. 360) Presence of God (p. 361) Commemoration (Remembering Jesus sacrifice, p. 362-363) Work of the Holy Spirit (p. 365) 12 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued
COMMUNION BREAD Group members participate in making and baking Communion bread. Note: For 10-15 people, triple the recipe for a good-sized wafer (more like a flat loaf). If you don t have time for baking, pack the dough in a plastic bag for youth to take home and bake. If so, remember to give them the baking instructions! Or you may bake and freeze the dough for Communion at church. Materials: 1½ cups whole wheat flour ½ cup white flour 1-5 shakes of salt ½ teaspoon baking powder ¾ teaspoon baking soda 4 tablespoons honey 1½ tablespoons oil ½ cup milk ¼ cup water bowl for mixing boards for flouring and kneading baking sheets piece of paper knife extra flour, enough for each to flour a board and knead oven jars or containers for storing each ingredient Preparation: To save time, divide the group into pairs or groups of three. Make sure there are enough measuring cups and spoons to go around. Depending on the size of your group, you may want to enlist the help of some parent volunteers. Directions: 1. In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda). Add the wet ingredients (honey, oil, milk and water). Stir until dough sticks together. 2. Give each person a glob of dough to knead on a floured board, approximately 8-10 times. Add extra flour if necessary. 13 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
3. Pat the dough down to ¼"- ½" thick. Score the top with a knife. 4. Place each on a baking sheet. 5. Bake approximately 15 minutes at 350. Note: To make enough bread for a service, you will have to start the project the day before. 14 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued
HOW ARE WE DOING? RATING THE CHURCH S EUCHARIST Participants evaluate the typical Eucharist in their church. They also offer suggestions as to what could be done differently or what they might like to see. Materials: copies of the How Are We Doing? evaluation sheet (pp. 16-17), 1 per participant pens or pencils Preparation: Make enough copies of the How Are We Doing? evaluation (pp. 16-17) for all group members. Let the rector and other church leaders know what your group is doing. They may have questions they d like to ask! Directions: 1. Explain to the group that their attendance at services is valued and necessary for the life of the church. Just as valuable are their opinions about the services themselves. Now, they have the opportunity to think about what they like, what they don t like so much, what they d like to change or add, and how they feel overall about the celebration of the Eucharist. 2. If at all possible, celebrate the Eucharist service at this point. Instruct group members to pay close attention to every facet of the celebration. 3. After the service, invite group members to complete their forms. 4. Once the forms have been filled out, take time to go over group members opinions and ratings. 5. Consider arranging for volunteers to meet with the rector and perhaps the Vestry about the survey. 15 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY
HOW ARE WE DOING? How often do you attend church? Check one. Every Sunday Some Sundays Maybe once a month Less than once a month How do you participate in the service? Check all that apply: I say the prayers I sing I receive communion I take up the elements I serve as an usher I serve as an acolyte Other What two things (any two things) do you like most about coming to church? and Name two things you enjoy about the service here: and 16 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued
What, if anything, should we be doing differently? What do you tell people about this church? Rate the following from 1-5 (1 being the lowest rating and 5 the highest) music seating the overall worship space youth group social/coffee hour activities for youth prayers reaching out to the community overall service 17 LESSON 36 EUCHARIST FEEDS US EVERY WEEK Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued