The ordinance of humility, known as foot-washing, precedes the Lord’s Supper during Holy Communion services. According to John 13:1-10, it is like a miniature baptism. Whereas baptism represents the washing away of one’s sinful past, foot-washing represents the washing away of present faults, misunderstandings, and differences with others. The Minister’s Manual states, “Foot-washing is a time for making wrongs right, for reaching out to those with whom you have differed…”1
Spiritual Preparation. This preparation should begin at least one
week before the service. Deacons and deaconesses should:
1. Renew their personal relationship with God through prayer and seek forgiveness.
2. Review Bible verses and Spirit of Prophecy readings relevant to the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-39; John 13:1-17; 1 Cor. 10; 11:17-34; The Desire of Ages, 642-787).
3. Seek forgiveness from persons they have offended.
4. Forgive those who have offended them—assuring them that
they have been forgiven.
Physical Preparation. The following areas for the foot-washing
service should be considered:
1. All items—towels, basins, warm water, buckets, hand wipes or soap and water, and so on—should be in place ahead of time.
2. “Deacons and deaconesses should participate in the footwashing service, but preferably they should have done so earlier, perhaps when setting up the equipment.”2 This will prevent delaying the Lord’s Supper.
3. The head deacon should lead the men, and the head deaconess should lead the women. They will make sure that everyone has been served and lead out in singing, testimonies, and prayer. Keep testimonies brief so that all who wish to may participate.
4. Before participants return to the sanctuary, the head deacon
and head deaconess should remind them of any special seating arrangements
for the Lord’s Supper
Proceedings and Protocol. Reverence and graceful, harmonious
movements are of the utmost importance during the Lord’s Supper.
Therefore, it is important that deacons and deaconesses attend
the rehearsal with the pastor and elders prior to this service.
The deaconesses are responsible for preparing the emblems for
the Lord’s Supper. They prepare the unleavened bread and pour the
unfermented wine (grape juice). They arrange these emblems on the
communion table, along with appropriate finger bowls and towels,
and then cover the table with a linen tablecloth.
Consider the following points:
1. The head deacon and head deaconess should assign the deacons and deaconesses who will be the leading participants for each Holy Communion service throughout the year so they can plan to attend rehearsals.
2. Inspect all equipment periodically.
3. The deaconesses assigned to unveil and veil the table are the only persons who should assist in this process. If a mistake is made, let them handle it. The pastor will use discretion in offering assistance or requesting the assistance of others. If anything unexpected happens during the service, follow the pastor’s lead.
4. Stay focused on the service. Do not bring anything that may cause a distraction.
5. When serving the bread and wine, the trays should be held close in front of the body at waist level, with both hands, thumbs on top.
6. After the service is over, the deaconesses prepare communion
kits for the sick and the shut-ins. Unused blessed bread and
wine are gathered for proper disposal. The deaconesses clear the
table and see to it that the linen tablecloths, towels, and trays are
properly cared for. The deacons are responsible for repositioning the
table.
A special service may be conducted for members confined at
home or in the hospital. The head deacon should contact the men
and the head deaconess should contact the women. Contact is best
made one week prior to Holy Communion and again the day before
as a reminder. When possible, deacons and deaconesses should accompany
the pastor and elders in serving the sick and shut-ins.
1 Seventh-day Adventist Minister’s Manual, 214, 1992 version.
2
———, 215.
Vincent E. White, Sr., D.Min., is a retired pastor and author of The TwentyFirst
Century Deacon and Deaconess: Reflecting the Biblical Model; The
Twenty-First Century Deacon and Deaconess: Reflecting the Biblical
Model Workbook; and Problem Solvers and Soul Winners: A Handbook
for Deacons and Deaconesses. www.avasbookpublishers.com.Vincent E. White, Sr., D.Min., is a retired pastor and author of The TwentyFirst
Century Deacon and Deaconess: Reflecting the Biblical Model; The
Twenty-First Century Deacon and Deaconess: Reflecting the Biblical
Model Workbook; and Problem Solvers and Soul Winners: A Handbook
for Deacons and Deaconesses. www.avasbookpublishers.com.
