Communion table

Communion table or Lord's table are terms used by many Protestant churches—particularly from Reformed, Baptist and low church Anglican and Methodist bodies—for the table used for preparation of Holy Communion (a sacrament also called the Eucharist). These churches do not use the term "altar" because they do not see Communion as sacrificial in any way.

The use of a simple table, generally built of wood, instead of an alta made of stone reflects these churches' rejection of the suggestion of sacrifice in the rite: they believe that the Passion of Jesus Christ was a perfect sacrifice for sins made once for all (Hebrews 9:25-10:4).

Many Protestant churches that choose not to use the term "altar" may still have an "altar call", in which visitors wish to make a new spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ are invited to come forward to the front of the church.

Having or not having a Communion table was a subject of dispute within Scottish Presbyterianism in the 17th century, with the Independents opposing its use.

The United Methodist Church states that the term "altar" is often used but the correct (traditional) terms are "Lord's table" and "Communion table" for the table upon which the elements are placed during Holy Communion.High church Methodists may use the term "altar" exclusively, copying the Anglican usage.

The table may be very simple, adorned perhaps with only a linen cloth, or with an open Bible or some receptacle to collect an offering. In modern use many Protestants adorn their tables with candles, though the use of candles was historically rejected among most Protestants. Some Communion tables often bear the inscription Do This in Remembrance of Me from the Last Supper (, ), indicating the belief in Holy Communion being a memorial rather than a sacrifice, or the words Holy, Holy, Holy as a recollection of the union between the whole of creation in worship.

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