How to Decorate Church Altars for Communion

A worship stole.

The sacrament of Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, is a sacred and revered act of worship in the Christian church. Much of its evocative power and beauty stems from its simplicity as a ritual reenactment of the Last Supper, when Jesus offered his disciples a bite of bread and a drink from a cup of wine. The following steps will ensure that the altar area is decorated in a manner that suits the needs of most Protestant congregations.

Things You'll Need

• Chalice
• Loaf of bread
• Individual cups and trays
• White linen napkins
• White linen tablecloth(s)
• Other seasonal decorations

Instructions

1. Understand what you are decorating. While the definition of the term "altar" is somewhat nebulous, it is more than simply the communion table. Arguably, the altar is the entire chancel area of a church's worship space. At the least, this includes the pulpit, kneelers and other furnishings immediately surrounding the table.

2. Cover the communion table with a solid white (the only appropriate color for a communion table) tablecloth. Stoles or long strips of cloth with muted, stitched inlays of Christian symbols and fringes may also be draped over the table.

3. Fill a large pitcher with wine or non-alcoholic grape juice, and place it on the left side (as you face the table) of the communion table along with a chalice. An earthen or clay pitcher and chalice resembling the vessels of the era of Jesus' presence on earth would be appropriate. Even if your church uses individual cups instead of having congregants drink from or dip the bread into a chalice, these items should be present as sacramental symbols.

4. Place trays of individual, pre-filled cups of wine or juice in the middle of the communion table if your church uses them. Cover the stacked trays with a white cloth.

5. Place a tray holding a loaf of bread on the right side of the communion table. Cover the bread with a white napkin or cloth.

6. Decorate other parts of the altar area in a way that is appropriate to the Christian season. For example, an evergreen wreath and advent candles may be placed near the communion table during Advent. Or a rough, wooden cross draped with purple cloth or veiled by a thin, black material might be erected in the chancel area during Lent.

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese