In the Breaking of the Bread: A User's Guide to a Service of Holy Communion in the Anglican Tradition

by Leander S. Harding

This book is for people who are new to a form of Christian worship that is centered on the weekly celebration of the Holy Communion. It will be a help to people moving from a non-liturgical church to a more liturgical church and to those contemporary Christians who are seeking an ancient-future form of Christian worship. Those who are familiar with Eucharistic worship will encounter new treasures that have been hiding in plain sight. The book follows carefully the service of Holy Communion as it is celebrated in a local congregation, describing what is done and why. The service chosen is from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Christians of other traditions will find close parallels to the way this central act of worship is celebrated in their own tradition. "Here is a pastoral theology in the classic where the practical questions of faith are tied to the person and revelation of God, and basic doctrines are unfolded in a gently accessible wisdom. Taking as his topic the heart of Christian worship as a transforming encounter with Christ the Word, Leander Harding writes in order to call forth in us a deeper devotion to the Trinity. These beautifully written pages are a gift to the Church."--Christopher WellsExecutive DirectorThe Living Church Foundation "This simple but rich survey of Eucharistic worship will guide newcomers through the liturgical labyrinth and help long-time worshipers see the Eucharist with fresh eyes. Tenderfoot or old hand, you'll find Harding's pastoral wisdom well worth the price of this book."--David NeffEditor in Chief & Vice PresidentChristianity Today"This book allows the reader to dwell in Holy Communion in the company of a thoughtful and learned priest, who invites us all with love into Love. The use of the Emmaus event is rich and Professor Harding's writing is soaked with experience, like a plum pudding about to be flamed, for this is a grand celebration, a feast of history and redemption."--Jerome W. BerrymanSenior FellowCenter for the Theology of ChildhoodDenver, Colorado"Father Leander Harding invites us to reflect with him upon the journey of the Eucharist--a journey marked by thanksgiving, congregational and personal response to the Word, the 'timefulness' of God's deep presence, and an effective concern for God's world. Both newcomers and those acquainted with liturgy will have their eyes and hearts opened by means of this pastor's mature wisdom and also by his infectious wonder as a worshipping child of God."--Edith M. HumphreyWilliam F. Orr Professor of New TestamentPittsburgh Theological SeminaryLeander S. Harding, PhD, is ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. After many years of service in parish ministry he now teaches pastoral theology at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, an evangelical seminary in the Anglican tradition.

Genres: Religion, Christianity

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Beth Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

We received this wonderful book as a welcome gift when we visited a new church recently. I only wish I’d had this concise explanation of an entire liturgical service when I first attended an Anglican church! It would have been helpful during preparation for ordination also.
One other wish: that there could be an edition of it that references the 2019 ACNA BCP. :)

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful little walk through the Eucharist.

[Michael McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, brief overview of the BCP ‘79 Eucharist service.

[Karen L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really touched me. It made everything in the Eucharist chrystal clear. Since my reading comprehension and attention span are sot so good, I found this little book to be invaluable in giving me short vivid stories and explanations that helped spur my visual memory of the Eucharist, thus enabling me to really grasp as well as fully partake of Holy Communion in not only my heart but my mind as well.

Leander breaks the book up into chapters taken from the Eucharistic journey as laid out in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. I love his introduction and likening our experience in worship as the experience of Christ's disciples when they encounter Him on the road to Emmaus. Our eyes are opened just the same as the disciples in the witness of the breaking of the bread.

I am slow to grasp new things. I wish that this book had been written earlier for my benefit, nonetheless, I am truly grateful that it was finally written.