The sacrament of Holy Communion (or Eucharist or The Lord's Supper, as it is variously called) has its genesis in the gospel stories of Jesus' last meal with his disciples before his crucifixion.  It has historically been understood as a gift Jesus gave to his followers as a way of re-calling his own presence into their midst, even when he was not physically with them any longer.  Originally celebrated as a full meal, as the church grew in numbers, the elements of bread and wine (or unfermented grape juice) came to be symbolic of the full meal.  There are varied and mutually-enriching meanings in the meal, which has been continuously celebrated since the first century:  a memorial to Christ's death and resurrection, fellowship with the risen Christ, the way the community becomes "Christ's living body," a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, and more.  The symbolic meal always points backward to the founding events of our faith, nourishes us with Christ's living presence, and points ahead to the future consummation of all things in God's redemptive plan for all creation.  The texts and prayers in the communion liturgy are a recital of God's saving words and deeds in human history, always including the words attributed to Jesus at the last supper, "This is my body, given for you," and "This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood, shed for you."  These "words of institution" are essential to the rite itself.

All people of faith, children as well as adults, are welcome to receive communion at Scarsdale Congregational Church, regardless of your church tradition or denominational background.  We believe that we are all guests at the Lord's table.

Currently, we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at least six times per year, though it may be celebrated more frequently in the future.