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.

Genres: Religion, Christianity

104 pages, Paperback

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.