Communicants

When can my child take the Lord’s Supper?

Each year we offer all fourth and fifth grade children the opportunity to participate in a Communicant's Class. The purpose of this class is to prepare children to take the Lord’s Supper and to give them an opportunity to make a clear public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. 

As parents, your perspective on your child’s spiritual readiness for this step is crucial. You are the most knowledgeable about your child’s spiritual maturity, commitment to Christ, and readiness to receive the Lord’s Supper. We ask you to determine, with your child, if your son or daughter should attend these classes. Below are several things you can do to discern if your child is ready to participate in this class.

• With your spouse, pray about your child and their readiness to take this next step on their spiritual journey. Discuss this opportunity and the requirements on your family’s time and schedule.
• Talk to your child. Discuss what they have observed when people partake of the Lord’s Supper.  What questions do they have about this sacrament? Ask them if they are ready to participate and discuss the class expectations (participation, homework, testimony, attending worship regularly).
• Gather your child’s baptismal information (where and when). Baptism ordinarily precedes being welcomed to the Lord’s Table as a communing (non-voting) member of the church. If your child has not yet been baptized, he or she will be baptized after making a profession of faith during the elder interview upon conclusion of participating in this class.   

After participating in the class, if you feel your child is ready to proceed to the next step, children will talk in pairs with elders to express their faith and to be received as communing (non-voting) members of Naperville Presbyterian Church with the right of the Lord’s Supper. 

As parents, we ask that you participate in the class alongside your child. We believe that a child’s faith not only begins at home but grows and is nurtured there. We believe that participating together will help foster and reinforce what your children are learning, and will facilitate opportunities for discussion on the information being taught. Please note that your participation in the class is expected throughout. We realize it may be difficult for both parents to make all the classes, but we expect at least one parent will be able to make each class time. Even if you have attended this class before with another child, it is important for you and the child participating to share this experience together. Again, your child’s participation in each class is expected.

Please note that we offer these classes annually. If you do not believe your child is ready at this time, you can wait for the next class opportunity. If you have questions about the class or about your child’s readiness for participation in the class, please call the Director of Children’s Ministries at 630-961-0579. We look forward to this exciting time for our children, and this new opportunity for you as parents to join with them in this precious time of learning.

The next Communicants' Class will be during the 2008-2009 school year.  If you are interested in participating in the class, please contact the Children’s Ministries office.

Orientation Night: Wednesday, October 8 at 7 pm and is required in order to take the class.