Presenting the Offering
While the offering plates are being passed in the pews, go to the bell tower at the back of the sanctuary and be ready to bring the communion elements forward. Remember to take your bulletin with you -- you will need it up front so you can read along with everyone else during the Great Thanksgiving (the reading before communion is served).

You will come forward to the table after the ushers have finished passing the plates in the pews and it is time for them to bring the plates up to the table. When the offering song (Doxology) is sung, let the ushers with the offering plates go first. Then follow them carrying the communion elements up the aisle.

Setting the Table
At the front, don't wait for the offering plates to be put on the table. Just come up to the choir side of the table and put the things on the table. Bread, pitcher, and goblets should be near the communion celebrant (the pastor leading communion). Other things (non-gluten bread, home communion) can go elsewhere on the table.

We will arrange ourselves in a semi-circle surrounding the celebrant and the other person reading during communion who will stand side-by-side at the table.

Cleaning Our Hands
There is a small squeeze bottle of alcohol lotion on the table. During the opening part of the Great Thanksgiving, I will see that this is passed around so each person can rub a dab on their hands. There is also a towel to wipe off the excess lotion (although it usually all evaporates).

After the Great Thanksgiving
When the Great Thanksgiving reading is over, the communion celebrant will offer communion to his/her own assistant and then give that assistant a goblet, receive communion from the assistant and then the two of them will serve the other four assistants.

To the Serving Stations
Then go in pairs to your serving stations. One station is standing with your back to the piano facing the sanctuary annex. The second station is right in front of the table with your heels backed up against the platform facing down the aisle. The pastor and the pastor's assistant will be at the third station near the pastor's chair. (Sometimes that pair serves the choir first.)

The Non-Gluten Bread
The pair who are serving in front of the piano should have the little basket with the pre-cut non-gluten bread pieces. (Let's all help them remember this.) It works pretty well to hook the basket hoop over the little finger or ring and little fingers of the hand holding the bread. Then when someone indicates their desire for non-gluten, you can just reach down with your free hand to take a piece and offer it to them.

Stay in Place
Everyone -- resist the temptation to step forward (in a welcoming gesture) as people approach you to receive. Stay with your back right up against the piano or your heels right up against the platform (as the case may be). The goal is to allow the maximum space between servers and the front pews so people can easily get past each other as they come to one of the serving stations and then return.

Space Between Serving Partners
Stand an arm's length apart from your serving partner. That way you can each be attending to a different person at the same time. If you stand close together, a person will not move after receiving the bread until they have dipped in the juice and the line will go twice as slowly as it would otherwise.

Handling the Bread
If you are serving the bread, do not offer it for each person to tear off their own piece. That would mean many hands (and possible germs) on the bread. Break off each piece yourself and offer it to each person as they come to you.

Words with the Bread and Juice
You may wish to say something as each person receives (it is not necessary). Here are some possibilities (you may have something different you'd like to say).

Our Theology of Communion
In the case of the cup, note that, while the symbolism of Jesus' blood is deeply meaningful for some, there are others who have theological concerns with the idea of a need for Jesus to be sent to the cross to die for the sins of others. This is a matter in dispute in comtemporary theology.

Our practice is to speak of "the cup of Christ" or "the cup of the New Covenent" rather than "Jesus' blood shed for your sins." In speaking in this way we do not impose language which may be an stumbling block for some participants. Those for whom the blood symbolism is important and meaningful are free to make that association in their own minds.

Joy Is Appropriate
On some Sundays, communion can feel rather joyful. Sometimes it will be one or two particular people who seem uplifted in spirit as they come forward. You may find yourself feeling happy or joyful as you are serving the bread or the juice. If you feel that in yourself or others, feel free to let it show in your face and in your voice. Others may pick up the feeling of celebration, too.

Serving Remaining Musicians
After everyone in the congregation has been served, one pair of servers should go to serve the organist, the choir director, and any other musicians who did not receive earlier.

Tidying Up
Once this is done, return your bread or cup to the table and gather behind the table as we were during the Great Thanksgiving while the celebrant offers a prayer and announces the hymn. Then return to your seat as the song begins.

Celebrant's Guidance
Note: Sometimes the celebrant may give you other instructions that are in addition to or different from what is written here. Use these instructions as a base and adjust as they may direct you.

++Leo Baldwin for several editoral suggestions.
++Austin Drake for help in improving clarity at several points.