Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

160 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE10. All services connected with the Lord's Supper, should present theLord Jesus and His redeeming love. The psalms, the scripture, and thesermon should center on Christ and His death on the cross, and on theblessings which flow from His atonement.11. The people should be reminded of the duty of self-examination andwarned against partaking of the supper unworthily. Passages of warning andinvitation should be read from the Scriptures. If a corporate confession of sinand an assurance of pardon have not been part of the preaching service, theymay be made here. During the singing of an appropriate psalm, such as thetwenty-fourth or one hundred sixteenth, the people may move to tables or toa suitable section of the auditorium,if custom and convenience so indicate.12. The teaching elder should stand near the table bearing the elements.When all is ready, he shall pray, thanking and praising God for His Son andfor the redemption which He has purchased and applied to His people; andcontinue by using these or similar words:"Sanctify, O Lord, so much of these elements as shall beused upon this occasion, which we now set apart from acommon to a sacramental use, in the name and by theauthority of Jesus Christ, the King and Head of the Church.Amen. "He shall then take the bread and break it, saying:"For in the night in which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesustook bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to hisdisciples, saying, This is my body given for you, do this inremembrance of me. "(Here the bread may be distributed.)Taking the cup, he shall say:"In the same way, he took the cup, gave thanks andoffered it to them, saying, This is my blood of the covenant,which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. Drinkfrom it, all of you. "(Here the cup may be distributed.)"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, youproclaim the Lord's death until he comes."13. The elders who preside and who distribute the elements should beserved after the congregation. After all have communed, a brief addressemphasizing the strength, blessing and joy of God's people may be given byan elder. Before the benediction, the service may be concluded with a prayerof thanksgiving and a suitable psalm such as the seventy-second or the onehundred third.14. Since the portions of the elements not used in the sacrament are notset apart for sacramental use, they may be disposed of in accordance with the