Weekly Communion

In our denomination, weekly communion is the normative practice of our congregations. But this is not the case for many other Reformed or evangelical churches.

For example, the Scottish Presbyterian tradition celebrates what they call “communion seasons,” with much preparation leading up to twice annual communion services. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, many modern evangelical churches celebrate communion once a month or simply once a quarter.

Now one argument put forth against our practice of weekly communion is that it would make the sacrament too routine if it were received weekly. And by becoming routine, it would then be valued less. And this is an understandable concern. May we never approach this Table with our hearts far from God or with a flippant attitude of just going through the motions.

But at the same time – we actually do really hope that this has become a routine in your lives. Just like the way you routinely kiss your wife and kids before you leave for work, or how you routinely sit down with your families for dinner each evening.

The fact that these things are routine do not mean that we value them less. In fact, they are routine because we highly value them in our lives. And so we readily admit that this is a routine moment in our liturgy each week. But it is a glorious moment, one which we would never want to go a week without. Therefore, in the words you hear each week, Come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.