United Methodists and Weekly Sunday Communion
John Wesley would not approve of the standard Sunday practice in so many United Methodist congregations. In 1784, Wesley urged the elders in the newly formed Methodist Episcopal Church in North America " to administer the supper of the Lord on every Lord's Day ." This Holy Mystery , adopted by the United Methodist General Conference in 2004, advises: The complete pattern of Christian worship for the Lord’s Day is Word and Table - the gospel is proclaimed in both Word and sacrament. Word and Table are not in competition; rather they complement each other so as to constitute a whole service of worship. Their separation diminishes the fullness of life in the Spirit offered to us through faith in Jesus Christ. ... Congregations of The United Methodist Church are encouraged to move toward a richer sacramental life, including weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper at the services on the Lord’s Day, as advocated by the general orders of Sunday worship in The United M...