Communion Seasons

At Westminster RPC, we observe the historic practice of communion seasons. We confess in Westminster Larger Catechism 161, "The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered; but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ by whom they are instituted." The means by which the Holy Ghost works in the sacraments is through the joining of the preaching of the Word with the sacraments taken by faith. This is why the sacraments are never to be administered without being in conjunction with the preaching of the Word.

Prior to partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we set apart a particular time to aid in due preparation to come to the Lord's Table. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 the Apostle Paul writes, "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." In obedience to this command and in order to help the flock in obedience to this command, we have set the Lord's Day prior to communion to begin the communion season with two preparatory services. These services focus upon self-examination and repentance of sins by pointing believers to the law of God and the forgiveness that is found in Christ Jesus. 

The week between the preparatory services and the communion service is the week of preparation. It is encouraged that this week be spent in extra times of prayer, fasting, and meditation upon the Word. This week should be characterized by a lowliness of spirit as you anticipate drawing near to King Jesus at His Table. To assist in this, we hold a prayer service the Wednesday evening during the week of preparation. During this service there is a time of corporate prayer where we lift up the needs of the congregation unto Jehovah, and there is a distinct time of prayer asking the Lord to ready our hearts of partake of the sacrament. 

On the day of communion, the preaching of the Word is focused upon the sacrificial death of Christ which purchased the redemption of His people. In Matthew 26:26-28 we read, "Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." It is because of these words of institution that we must meditate upon that sacrifice of Christ prior to coming to the Table. It is our practice, following what we believe to be closest to the appointment of Christ, that the communicants come and sit together at a table and partake of a common loaf of bread and a common cup of wine, symbolizing our union and communion with Christ Jesus and with one another. The day of communion is then concluded with a thanksgiving service in which our focus is upon giving thanks to the Lord for the work of salvation He has wrought within us. 

The RPCNA practices what is known as session controlled communion. In 1 Corinthians 4:1 ministers are called "stewards of the mysteries of God," and it is the minister and the elders who "watch for your souls, as they that must give account." (Hebrews 13:17) Because of this, it is required that those desiring to commune at WRPC schedule a time prior to the day of communion in order to meet with the session to discuss their baptism, membership in the visible Church, and Christian experience of growing in grace in order to be admitted to the Lord's Table.