Eucharist

===Protestantism===
====Anabaptists====
Anabaptist denominations, such as the [[Mennonite]]s and German Baptist Brethren Churches like the [[Church of the Brethren]] churches and congregations have the [[lovefeast|Agape feast]], [[footwashing]], as well as the serving of the bread and wine in the celebration of the [[Lovefeast]]. In the more modern groups, Communion is only the serving of the Lord's Supper. In the communion meal, the members of the Mennonite churches renew their covenant with God and with each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/O745ME.html |title=Ordinances |publisher=Gameo|date=24 August 2013 |access-date=11 October 2013}}</ref>

====Moravian/Hussite ====
The [[Moravian Church]] adheres to a view known as the "sacramental presence",<ref name="Atwood2010">{{cite book|last=Atwood|first=Craig D.|title=Community of the Cross: Moravian Piety in Colonial Bethlehem|date=1 November 2010|publisher=Penn State Press|language=en|isbn=9780271047508|page=165|quote=In the eighteenth century, the Moravians consistently promoted the Lutheran doctrine of the real presence, which they described as a "sacramental presence."}}</ref> teaching that in the [[sacrament]] of [[Holy Communion]]:<ref name="VelikoGros2005"/>
{{blockquote|Christ gives his body and blood according to his promise to all who partake of the elements. When we eat and drink the bread and the wine of the Supper with expectant faith, we thereby have communion with the body and blood of our Lord and receive the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. In this sense, the bread and wine are rightly said to be Christ's body and blood which he gives to his disciples.<ref name="VelikoGros2005">{{cite book|last1=Veliko|first1=Lydia|last2=Gros|first2=Jeffrey|title=Growing Consensus II: Church Dialogues in the United States, 1992–2004|year=2005|publisher=Bishop's Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|language=en|isbn=978-1574555578|page=90}}</ref>}} 
[[Nicolaus Zinzendorf]], a [[bishop]] of the Moravian Church, stated that Holy Communion is the "most intimate of all connection with the person of the Saviour."<ref name="Knouse2008">{{cite book|last=Knouse|first=Nola Reed|title=The Music of the Moravian Church in America|year=2008|publisher=University Rochester Press|language=en|isbn=978-1580462600|page=34|quote=Holy Communion, of course, is a central act of worship for all Christians, and it should come as no surprise that it was also highly esteemed in the Moravian Church. Zinzendorf referred to it as the "most intimate of all connection with the person of the Saviour." The real presence of Christ was thankfully received, though, typically, the Moravians refrained from delving too much into the precise way the Savior was sacramentally present}}</ref>
The Order of Service for the observance of the Lord's Supper includes a salutation, hymns, the [[right hand of fellowship]], prayer, consecration of the elements, distribution of the elements, partaking of the elements, and a benediction.<ref name="Moravian2010">{{cite web |title=The Observance of the Lord's Supper |url=https://www.moravian.org/2018/06/the-observance-of-the-lords-supper/ |publisher=Moravian Church |access-date=13 October 2022 |language=English |date=2010}}</ref> Moravian Christians traditionally practice footwashing before partaking in the Lord's Supper, although in certain Moravian congregations, this rite is observed chiefly on [[Maundy Thursday]].<ref name="Vos2009">{{cite book |last1=Vos |first1=Nelvin |title=Inter-Actions: Relationships of Religion and Drama |date=16 May 2009 |publisher=University Press of America |isbn=978-0-7618-4470-9 |page=34 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Benham">{{cite book |last1=Benham |first1=William |title=The Dictionary of Religion |date=1887 |publisher=Cassell |page=719 |language=English}}</ref>

====Anglican====
{{Main|Eucharist in Anglicanism}}

[[File:Holy Communion, Owen Jones.png|thumb|Illuminated title of "The Holy Communion" from the [[Book of Common Prayer (1845 illuminated version)|1845 illustrated ''Book of Common Prayer'']].]]
Anglican theology on the matter of the Eucharist is nuanced. The Eucharist is neither wholly a matter of transubstantiation nor simply devotional and [[Memorialism|memorialist]] in orientation. The Anglican churches do not adhere to the belief that the Lord's Supper is merely a devotional reflection on Christ's death. For some Anglicans, Christ is spiritually present in the fullness of his person in the Eucharist.

The [[Church of England]] itself has repeatedly refused to make official any definition of "the presence of Christ". Church authorities prefer to leave it a mystery while proclaiming the consecrated bread and wine to be "spiritual food" of "Christ's Most Precious Body and Blood"; the bread and wine are an "outward sign of an inner grace".<ref>Book of Common Prayer Catechism</ref>{{rp|859}} The words of administration at communion allow for real presence or for a real but spiritual presence (Calvinist receptionism and virtualism). This concept was congenial to most Anglicans well into the 19th century.<ref>''The Study of Liturgy'', Revised Edition, SPCK London, 1992, p. 316.</ref> From the 1840s, the Tractarians reintroduced the idea of "the real presence" to suggest a corporeal presence, which could be done since the language of the BCP rite referred to the body and blood of Christ without details as well as referring to these as spiritual food at other places in the text. Both are found in the Latin and other rites, but in the former, a definite interpretation as corporeal is applied.

Both receptionism and virtualism assert the real presence. The former places emphasis on the recipient and the latter states "the presence" is confected by the power of the Holy Spirit but not in Christ's natural body. His presence is objective and does not depend on its existence from the faith of the recipient. The liturgy petitions that elements "be" rather than "become" the body and blood of Christ leaving aside any theory of a change in the natural elements: bread and wine are the outer reality and "the presence" is the inner invisible except as perceived in faith.<ref>''The Study of Liturgy''</ref>{{rp|314–324}}

In 1789, the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]] in the United States restored explicit language that the Eucharist is an [[oblation]] (sacrifice) to God. Subsequent revisions of the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'' by member churches of the [[Anglican Communion]] have done likewise (the Church of England did so in the [[Book of Common Prayer (1928, England)|proposed 1928 prayer book]]).<ref>The Study of Liturgy</ref>{{rp|318–324}}

The so-called "[[Black Rubric]]" in the [[Book of Common Prayer (1552)|1552 prayer book]], which allowed kneeling when receiving Holy Communion was omitted in the [[Book of Common Prayer (1559)|1559 edition]] at Queen [[Elizabeth I]]'s insistence. It was reinstated in the [[1662 prayer book]], modified to deny any corporal presence of Christ's natural flesh and blood, which are in Heaven and not here. {{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

====Baptists====
[[File:Communion Baptist.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.15|The serving of elements individually, to be taken in unison, is common among Baptists.]]
The bread and "fruit of the vine" indicated in Matthew, Mark and Luke as the elements of the Lord's Supper<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|26:26–29}}, {{bibleref|Mark|14:22–25}}, {{bibleref|Luke|22:19}}</ref> are interpreted by many [[Baptists]] as unleavened bread (although leavened bread is often used) and, in line with the historical stance of some Baptist groups (since the mid-19th century) against partaking of alcoholic beverages, [[grape juice]], which they commonly refer to simply as "the Cup".<ref>See, e.g., {{cite book | first=J. R. | last=Graves | year=1928 | title=What is It to Eat and Drink Unworthily | publisher=Baptist Sunday School Committee | oclc=6323560}}</ref> The unleavened bread also underscores the symbolic belief attributed to Christ's breaking the bread and saying that it was his body. A [[saltine cracker|soda cracker]] is often used.

Some Baptists consider the Communion to be primarily an act of remembrance of Christ's atonement, and a time of renewal of personal commitment ([[memorialism]]) such as [[Free Will Baptist|Free Will Baptists]], while others, such as [[Particular Baptists]] affirm the Reformed doctrine of a [[Eucharistic theology#Pneumatic presence|pneumatic presence]],<ref name="Wax2007"/> which is expressed in the [[1689 Baptist Confession of Faith|Second London Baptist Confession]], specifically in Chapter 30, Articles 3 and 7. This view is prevalent among [[Southern Baptists]], those in the [[Founders Ministries|Founders movement]] (a Calvinistic movement among some [[Independent Baptists]]),and several individuals in other Baptist associations.<ref name="Wax2007">{{cite web |last1=Wax |first1=Trevin |title=Baptists and the Lord's Supper |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/baptists-and-the-lords-supper/ |publisher=[[The Gospel Coalition]] |access-date=27 April 2022 |language=English |date=6 June 2007 |quote=There are many other Baptists in history who have understood the "spiritual presence" of Christ in the Lord's Supper.}}</ref>

Communion practices and frequency vary among congregations. A typical practice is to have small cups of juice and plates of broken bread distributed to the seated congregation. In other congregations, communicants may proceed to the altar to receive the elements, then return to their seats. A widely accepted practice is for all to receive and hold the elements until everyone is served, then consume the bread and cup in unison. Usually, music is performed and Scripture such as the precise verses of Jesus speaking at the Last Supper is read during the receiving of the elements.

Some Baptist churches are closed-Communionists (even requiring full membership in the local church congregation before partaking), with others being partially or fully open-Communionists. It is rare to find a Baptist church where the Lord's Supper is observed every Sunday; most observe monthly or quarterly, with some holding Communion only during a designated Communion service or following a worship service. Adults and children in attendance who have not made a profession of faith in Christ are expected to not participate.

====Lutheran====
{{Main|Eucharist in Lutheranism}}
{{see also|Divine Service (Lutheran)}}
[[File:EucharistELCA.JPG|right|thumb|Table set for the Eucharist in an ELCA service]]
[[Lutheranism|Lutherans]] believe that the body and blood of Christ are "truly and substantially present in, with, and under the forms" of the consecrated bread and wine (the elements), so that communicants eat and drink the body and blood of Christ himself as well as the bread and wine in the Eucharistic [[Lutheran sacraments|sacrament]].<ref>[[Augsburg Confession]], Article 10</ref> The Lutheran doctrine of the Real Presence is more accurately and formally known as the "[[sacramental union]]".<ref name="MattoxRoeber">{{cite book |last1=Mattox |first1=Mickey L. |last2=Roeber |first2=A. G. |title=Changing Churches: An Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran Theological Conversation |date=2012 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0802866943 |page=54 |language=English |quote=In this "sacramental union," Lutherans thought, the body and blood of Christ are so united to the bread and wine of the Holy Communion that the two may be identified. They are at the same time body and blood, bread and wine. This divine food is given, more-over, not just for the strengthening of faith, nor only as a sign of our unity in faith, nor merely as an assurance of the forgiveness of sin. Even more, in this sacrament the Lutheran Christian receives the very body and blood of Christ precisely for the strengthening of faith, nor only as a sign of our unity in faith, nor merely as an assurance of the forgiveness of sin. Even more, in this sacrament the Lutheran Christian receives the very body and blood of Christ precisely for the strengthening of union of faith. The "real presence" of Christ in the Holy Sacrament is the means by which the union of faith, effected by God's Word and the sacrament of baptism, is strengthened and maintained. Intimate union with Christ, in other words, leads directly to the most intimate communion in his holy body and blood.}}</ref><ref>F. L. Cross, ed., ''The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church'', second edition, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1974), 340 ''sub loco''.</ref> Others have erroneously called this [[consubstantiation]], a [[Lollardist]] doctrine, though this term is specifically rejected by Lutheran churches and theologians since it creates confusion about the actual doctrine and subjects the doctrine to the control of a non-biblical philosophical concept in the same manner as, in their view, does the term "[[transubstantiation]]".<ref>J. T. Mueller, ''Christian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology'', (St. Louis: CPH, 1934), 519; cf. also Erwin L. Lueker, ''Christian Cyclopedia'', (St. Louis: CPH, 1975), under the entry "consubstantiation".</ref>

While an official movement exists in Lutheran congregations to celebrate Eucharist weekly, using formal rites very similar to the Catholic and "high" Anglican services, it was historically common for congregations to celebrate monthly or even quarterly.<ref>[http://www.livingwordmedina.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=8 What Lutherans Believe About Holy Communion] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320044022/http://www.livingwordmedina.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=8 |date=20 March 2011 }}. Retrieved 2011–04–25.</ref><ref>[http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage=page&mode=display&gid=20052995655655607101111555&pg=20053264518475013601111555 How Lutherans Worship] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324191349/http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage%3Dpage%26mode%3Ddisplay%26gid%3D20052995655655607101111555%26pg%3D20053264518475013601111555 |date=24 March 2011 }} at LutheransOnline.com. Retrieved 2011–04–24.</ref> Even in congregations where Eucharist is offered weekly, there is not a requirement that every church service be a Eucharistic service, nor that all members of a congregation must receive it weekly.<ref>[http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Learning-Center/FAQs/Weekly-Communion.aspx How do we move to weekly Communion?] at elca.org Retrieved 2011-09-18</ref>

====Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren====
Among [[Open Brethren|Open]] assemblies, also termed [[Plymouth Brethren]], the Eucharist is more commonly called the Breaking of Bread or the Lord's Supper. They believe it is only a symbolic reenactment of the Last Supper and a memorial,<ref name="Gibson">{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Jean |title=Lesson 13: The Lord's Supper |url=http://plymouthbrethren.org/article/4960 |publisher=Plymouth Brethren Writings |access-date=27 April 2022 |language=English}}</ref> and is central to the worship of both individual and assembly.<ref name="Darby">Darby, J.N., quoted in Bradshaw, P.F. ''The new SCM dictionary of liturgy and worship''</ref>{{rp|375}} In principle, the service is open to all [[baptism|baptized]] Christians, but an individual's eligibility to participate depends on the views of each particular assembly. The service takes the form of non-liturgical, open worship with all male participants allowed to pray audibly and select hymns or readings. The breaking of bread itself typically consists of one leavened loaf, which is prayed over and broken by a participant in the meeting<ref>Muller, G. (1860) ''A Narrative of some of the Lord's dealings with George Muller''</ref>{{rp|279–281}} and then shared around. The wine is poured from a single container into one or several vessels, and these are again shared around.<ref>Bradshaw, P.F. ''The new SCM dictionary of liturgy and worship''</ref>{{rp|375}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brethrenonline.org/faqs/Brethren.htm|archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160518150855/http://brethrenonline.org/faqs/Brethren.htm|url-status=dead|title=Brethren Online FAQs|archive-date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

The [[Exclusive Brethren]] follow a similar practice to the [[Open Brethren]]. They also call the Eucharist the Breaking of Bread or the Lord's Supper.<ref name="Darby" />

====Reformed (Continental Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregationalist)====
{{Main|Lord's Supper in Reformed theology}}
In the [[Reformed tradition]] (which includes the [[Continental Reformed Church]]es, the [[Presbyterian Church]]es, and the [[Congregationalist Church]]es), the Eucharist is variously administered. The Calvinist view of the Sacrament sees a real presence of Christ in the supper which differs both from the objective ontological presence of the Catholic view, and from the real absence of Christ and the mental recollection of the memorialism of the Zwinglians<ref>McGrath, Alister E. ''Reformation Thought'' Oxford: Blackwell (2003)</ref>{{rp|189}} and their successors.

[[File:South Leith communion token reverse.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Many Presbyterian churches historically used [[communion token]]s to provide entrance to the Lord's Supper.]]
The bread and wine become the means by which the believer has real communion with Christ in his death and Christ's body and blood are present to the faith of the believer as really as the bread and wine are present to their senses but this presence is "spiritual", that is the work of the Holy Spirit.<ref>Hendry, George S. ''The Westminster Confession for Today'' SCM (1960) p. 232</ref> There is no standard frequency; John Calvin desired weekly communion, but the city council only approved monthly, and monthly celebration has become the most common practice in Reformed churches today.

Many, on the other hand, follow [[John Knox]] in celebration of the Lord's supper on a quarterly basis, to give proper time for reflection and inward consideration of one's own state and sin. Recently, Presbyterian and Reformed Churches have been considering whether to restore more frequent communion, including weekly communion in more churches, considering that infrequent communion was derived from a memorialist view of the Lord's Supper, rather than Calvin's view of the sacrament as a means of grace.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.opc.org/OS/html/V6/4l.html|title=The Lord's Supper: How Often?|author=D. G. Hart and John R. Muether|journal=[[Ordained Servant]]|volume=6|issue=4|date=October 1997}}</ref> Some churches use bread without any [[leavening agent|raising agent]] (whether [[yeast]] or another [[leaven]].) in view of the use of [[Matzah|unleavened bread]] at [[Passover seder|Jewish Passover meals]], while others use any bread available.

The [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]], for instance, prescribes "bread common to the culture". Harking back to the [[regulative principle of worship]], the Reformed tradition had long eschewed coming forward to receive communion, preferring to have the elements distributed throughout the congregation by the presbyters (elders) more in the style of a shared meal. Over the last half a century it is much more common in Presbyterian churches to have Holy Communion monthly or on a weekly basis. It is also becoming common to receive the elements by intinction (receiving a piece of consecrated bread or wafer, dipping it in the blessed wine, and consuming it). Wine and grape juice are both used, depending on the congregation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Question & Answer: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church |url=https://opc.org/qa.html?question_id=138 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=opc.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/42392/ialc_report_on_elements_used_in_communion.pdf Eucharistic Food and Drink / A report of the Inter-Anglican Liturgical Commission to the Anglican Consultative Council1] anglicancommunion.org</ref> Most Reformed churches practice "open communion", i.e., all believers who are united to a church of like faith and practice, and who are not living in sin, would be allowed to join in the Sacrament.

====Methodist====
[[File:Methodistcommunion6.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|right|A United Methodist minister consecrating the elements]]
The British ''Catechism for the use of the people called Methodists'' states that, "[in the Eucharist] Jesus Christ is [[Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist|present]] with his worshipping people and gives himself to them as their Lord and Saviour".<ref name="Methcat">{{cite book|title=A Catechism for the use of people called Methodists|date=2000|publisher=Methodist Publishing House|location=Peterborough, England|isbn=978-1858521824|page=26}}</ref> Methodist theology of this sacrament is reflected in one of the fathers of the movement, [[Charles Wesley]], who wrote a Eucharistic hymn with the following stanza:<ref name="AbrahamWatson2013">{{cite book|last1=Abraham|first1=William J.|last2=Watson|first2=David F.|title=Key United Methodist Beliefs|year=2013|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=en |isbn=978-1426756610|pages=103–04}}</ref>
<poem>
We need not now go up to Heaven,
To bring the long sought Saviour down;
Thou art to all already given,
Thou dost e'en now Thy banquet crown:
To every faithful soul appear,
And show Thy real presence here!
</poem>

Reflecting [[Wesleyan covenant theology]], Methodists also believe that the Lord's Supper is a sign and seal of the [[covenant of grace]].<ref name="Crowther1815">{{cite book|last=Crowther|first=Jonathan |title=A Portraiture of Methodism|year=1815|language=en|page=224|quote=The Methodists believe, that the covenant of grace has been administered and renewed in different ages of the world. [...] Under the gospel, Christ the substance, prefigured by these shadows, being exhibited, the ordinances in and by which this covenant is dispensed, are ''the preaching of the word'', and the administration of the sacraments of ''baptism'' and the ''Lord's Supper'': which ordinances, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less external glory, yet hold forth this covenant in greater fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles.}}</ref><ref name="Watson1852">{{cite book|last=Watson|first=Richard|title=An exposition of the gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark: and some other detached parts of Holy Scripture|year=1852|publisher=George Lane & Levi Scott|language=en|page=282|quote=This covenant, the blood of Christ, that is, the pouring forth of his blood as a sacrficial victim, at once procured and ratified; so that it stands firm to all truly penitent and contrite spirits who believe in him: and of this great truth, the Lord's Supper was the instituted sign and seal; and he who in faith drinks of the cup, having reference to its signification, that blood of Christ which confirms to true believers the whole covenant of grace, is assured thereby of its faithfulness and permanence, and derives to himself the fulness of its blessings.}}</ref>

In many [[List of Methodist denominations|Methodist denominations]], non-alcoholic wine (grape juice) is used, so as to include those who do not take alcohol for any reason, as well as a commitment to the Church's historical support of [[Temperance movement|temperance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Alcohol|url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/views-of-the-church/alcohol|publisher=[[Methodist Church of Great Britain]]|access-date=10 November 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-do-i-need-to-know-about-holy-communion-in-the-united-methodist-church|title=What do I need to know about communion in the UMC?|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref> Variations of the [[Eucharistic Prayer]] are provided for various occasions, including communion of the sick and brief forms for occasions that call for greater brevity. Though the ritual is standardized, there is great variation amongst Methodist churches, from typically high-church to low-church, in the enactment and style of celebration. Methodist clergy are not required to be vested when celebrating the Eucharist.

[[John Wesley]], a founder of Methodism, said that it was the duty of Christians to receive the sacrament as often as possible. Methodists in the United States are encouraged to celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday, though it is typically celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, while a few go as long as celebrating quarterly (a tradition dating back to the days of [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit riders]] that served multiple churches). Communicants may receive standing, kneeling, or while seated. Gaining more wide acceptance is the practice of receiving by intinction (receiving a piece of consecrated bread or wafer, dipping it in the blessed wine, and consuming it). The most common alternative to intinction is for the communicants to receive the consecrated juice using small, individual, specially made glass or plastic cups known as [[communion cup]]s.<ref>[http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product Communion Cups, 1000] from Broadman / Holman Church Supply. Christianbook.com. Accessed 5 July 2009.</ref> The [[United Methodist Church]] practices open communion (which it describes as an "[[open table]]"), inviting "all who intend a Christian life, together with their children" to receive the eucharistic elements.<ref>UMC 1992, 29.</ref> ''The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Church'' specifies, on days during which Holy Communion is celebrated, that "Upon entering the church let the communicants bow in prayer and in the spirit of prayer and meditation approach the Blessed Sacrament."<ref>{{cite book|title=The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Church|year=1960|publisher=The Methodist Publishing House|location=Nashville, Tennessee |language=en|page=522}}</ref>

====Nondenominational Christians====
[[File:Lord's cup and Bread.JPG|thumb|right|Communion elements: [[Matzah|matzo]] is sometimes used for bread, emphasising the "re-creation" of the Last Supper.]]
Many non-denominational Christians, including the [[Churches of Christ]], receive communion every Sunday. Others, including [[Evangelical]] churches such as the [[Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)|Church of God]] and [[Calvary Chapel]], typically receive communion on a monthly or periodic basis. Many non-denominational Christians hold to the Biblical [[autonomy]] of local churches and have no universal requirement among congregations.

Some [[Churches of Christ]], among others, use [[grape juice]] and unleavened wafers or unleavened bread and practice open communion.