COMMUNION FAQ
What is Communion?
Along with baptism, Communion is one of two sacraments that we observe. A sacrament is an earthly, visible sign of the mystery of God’s grace given to us. Communion was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, which is why Communion is also called the Lord’s Supper. In Communion, the elements (the bread and wine/juice) represent the body and blood of Jesus, and when we take the elements, we are symbolically taking into ourselves Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Who can take Communion?
Communion is open to all baptized followers of Jesus, regardless of their church or denominational affiliation.
How do you take Communion at Hillside?
At Hillside, we take Communion by intinction. That just means that we dip bread or a wafer into a cup of grape juice. At some point in the service, everyone will be invited to stand and make their way to the center aisle if they are going to take communion. At the front of the line, a pastor or church leader will have a plate with bread and a cup of juice. Those taking communion tear off a piece of bread, dip it into the cup, then eat the bread on the way back to their seat.
For those who prefer not to take from the common loaf and cup, we offer pre-filled communion cups and wafers alongside the bread and cup. Participants are welcome to come forward in the line, and rather than tearing from the common loaf, take a prefilled cup instead.
We do use juice rather than wine at Hillside because of our longstanding relationship with Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous (AA & NA). In the spirit of Romans 14, we honor those who have struggled with substance abuse and want to remove anything that may cause a brother or sister to stumble in their sobriety.
What do you believe happens in Communion?
Communion is a mystery, in the classic sense of something that can only be known by a revelation from God. We do not believe that the bread and juice turn into the literal body and blood of Jesus, but we also believe Communion is more than symbolic. Jesus is fully present in the Communion elements in a way that can’t be precisely defined. What we do know is that when we take Communion, we participate in God’s act of grace through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We also believe that Communion is a unique, unifying practice that marks us out as followers of Jesus and members of his Church and draws us together across all the things that would normally divide us.