The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Giving shut-ins the Lord's Supper

When elderly persons who are members of a church are "shut-in", i.e. unable to attend due to health reasons, is it appropriate/inappropriate to bring them the Lord's Supper? <br>I ask this because I have seen congregations do both. Some will bring them the bread and wine, while others will not. Emotionally I would say it is appropriate, as these are typically regenerated saints who have attended for decades. That being said, if the elements are not to be given without the preaching of the word, and outside of the group setting, then it would not be appropriate. The Lord's Supper is not to be an esoteric experience, is it?<br>Thoughts?<br>Steve

Steve,<br><br>In our church we do practice bringing the elements to the sick and shut in who request participating in the Lord's Supper. We do this as an extension to our church worship service on the days that we celebrate Holy Communion. This means that we only do this in conjunction with having done this also with the body of believers prior. In other words we bring the elements of the Lord's Supper to those who cannot come to the table of the Lord.<br><br>We believe that you shouldn't practice this independent of a worship experience so when we visit those who wish to be included we also include a message from God's Word and the same forms for communion that we use in the corporate setting. We see this as an extension of the communion service, not a singular independent act.<br><br><br>Wes