Theme 4: The Liturgy of the Sacrament

In this theme…

1. What is it like as a priest to preside over the liturgy of the sacrament?

2. Tell us about the fourfold action: Taking, blessing, breaking, distributing.

3. Tell us about the hardware we use in this liturgy, and its arrangement on the altar?

4. How is Christ present during the Eucharist?

5. What is happening in the “Sending out”?

1. This is a great question to ask any Priest, Bishop or Archbishop! Each response will be different.

2. What is your own experience of receiving the sacrament? When was the first time, and how significant was it for you? Have your thoughts changed over time?

3. If you are yet to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, what are your hopes and expectations? Or is this something that you don’t feel the need to experience?

1. It seems that every action in a Eucharist comes to us through centuries of thought and inspiration. Imagine the early Christian communities who celebrated the Eucharist using similar actions and taking similar inspiration from Jesus. How does this impact your appreciation for the simple actions of taking, blessing, breaking and distributing?

2. If a friend asked how you understood this part of the service, how would you describe it?

3. The taking, blessing, breaking and distributing of the bread and wine involve symbolism and action. People respond by moving to receive the sacrament or a blessing. How important is movement here? Does it show a choice to participate?

1. How does the orderliness of the materials on the altar enhance your experience of the Eucharist?

2. Next time you’re in an Anglican Church for a service, take note of the credence table and the role of the server or Liturgical Assistant. How significant is it that lay people (people other than the priest or deacon) can be involved in the preparation for a Eucharist?

3. What have you noticed about the routines of setting up before a service? Are they done by one person, the same every week, or are there many who take turns

1. Archbishop Phillip suggests that the important thing is that we do encounter Christ in the Eucharist. In what ways have you experienced Christ in the Eucharist?

2. Are there particular elements of the Eucharist that make it possible for you (or others you know) to encounter Christ?

3. How is the routine/habit/discipline of going to church important in allowing the opportunity to experience Christ in the Eucharist?

1. Take a look at the story of Jesus sending out the 70 as described in Luke chapter 10: 1-12. In what ways does the Anglican ‘sending out’ resemble this episode?

2. Some say this is the most important part of the time that Christians spend together. Perhaps your community could focus on this idea and see what happens! Imagine if church services began with an audit of how well each of us had followed the suggestions in the ‘sending out’ in the preceding week!

3. Making a difference to the world is key to the life and ministry of Jesus. In what ways can participation in the Eucharist prepare people for a life like Jesus’?