 Our communion service closely follows the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples. We have a meal, the feet washing service, and the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup of blessing, interspersed with the singing of hymns. Practices and emphasis may vary slightly from one congregation to another, but observance of each segment is generally consistent. A few kindred denominations also have feet washing but not the meal. Brethren are unique in that our observance of communion is very complete, and usually a full evening service. Alexander Mack, our first minister, said: “We indeed have neither a new church or any new laws. We only want to remain in simplicity and true faith in the original church which Jesus founded through his blood. We wish to obey the commandment which was in the beginning.” Inscriptions and paintings on ancient walls called it the agape meal or love meal, a feast of love, or simply, a Love Feast (Greek: agape, cherishing love). Attending the Love Feast in past generations was closely, if not strictly, monitored. In many Brethren congregations it was expected that elders or deacons would “examine” members prior to the service in order to determine their scriptural appropriateness for participation, in accordance with New Testament teachings: “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself" (1 Corinthians 11:27-29) and "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons" (1 Corinthians 10:21). The possibility of being barred from Love Feast was not something regarded lightly. Communing, as it was often called, was popular and Brethren frequently traveled to other congregations in order to enjoy the spiritual benefits of this great service. In former years, several congregations held the Love Feast in barns because their church buildings tended to be small and members from other congregations attending would be anticipated. Non-members, children, and the curious often watched from the hay loft. Some church buildings were large enough to accommodate these crowds and had constructed pews that quickly converted the backrest into a table. Meal preparation for Love Feast was extensive. Brethren churches were among the first to have kitchens. For that reason, some congregations have great difficulty in accepting the more simple “bread and cup” communion that is more distinctive of high liturgical denominations. Tampering with this service is already regarded by many as severely redefining what it means to be Brethren.
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