Clean Hands and Pure Hearts: The Importance of Hygiene During Holy Communion

As followers of Christ, we come together to celebrate the Lord's Supper, a sacred moment where we receive Jesus' body and blood. However, with this comes a responsibility to maintain cleanliness and hygiene to ensure that our worship is not only spiritual but also physical.

The use of disposable cups during Holy Communion is not recommended due to environmental, health, and aesthetic reasons. Instead, servers should handle the cups with care, washing their hands before and after handling them. When serving bread and cup, it's essential to avoid touching the hands or faces of those receiving them, as this can lead to contamination.

To maintain cleanliness during Holy Communion, it's crucial to have a server who has washed his or her hands give the cup to each recipient. The bread should be able to hold together well enough not to crumble or fall apart when saturated with juice. Servers should instruct recipients on how to receive the bread without touching the juice, and pieces of bread should be provided that are large enough for dipping.

For those who receive Holy Communion by intinction (dipping the bread in the cup), it's essential to have only servers touch the loaf. Practice this action together so that you can do it smoothly and without attracting undue attention. This is a practical and caring gesture for all who will come to receive the bread and cup.

In addition, having separate clean towels available for each server is vital. Just before the Great Thanksgiving, the pastor and other servers should wash their hands with antibacterial soap and rinse them off with water. Having hand-washing stations set up near the Communion Table can help maintain hygiene during this process.

It's also crucial to ensure that Communion chalices, cups, trays, cup fillers, and patens are washed thoroughly after each use and stored in a dry, clean cabinet. People who have any communicable illness should not serve, as this can put others at risk of infection.

As we strive for cleanliness during Holy Communion, we must also remember that it's essential to maintain the spiritual aspect of our worship. As Psalm 24:3b-4a reminds us, 'Who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts.'

In conclusion, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene during Holy Communion is vital for both physical and spiritual reasons. By following these simple steps, we can ensure that our worship is not only a celebration of our faith but also a demonstration of our love and respect for one another.

Clean hands pure hearts