The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 58 : The Administration of the Lord's Supper

Paragraph 3 : Of Public Notice

58-3. It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

DIGEST :The current PCA text dates to the revisions enacted in 1981 by the Ninth PCA General Assembly. At that time Chapters 56, 57 and 58 of the Directory for Worship were adopted as having Constitutional authority. To date, these are the only chapters from the Directory that have been so adopted. It is interesting to note that in making these revisions, recourse was made to earlier PCUS or PCUSA texts, whereas the PCA initially built its Directory on the PCUS 1933 text. Put another way, the current PCA text is that of PCUS 1925, 1894, and PCUSA 1797.

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
PCA 1973, DfW, 12-2, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 159
Public notice shall be given to the congregation, at least the Lord's Day before the administration of this ordinance, and either then, or on some day of the week, the people should be instructed in its nature, and urged to make due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, DfW 12-2, Proposed text, p. [73]
Public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Lord's Day before the administration of this ordinance, and either then, or on some day of the week, the people should be instructed in its nature, and urged to make due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

PCUS 1933, DfW XII, § 357
Public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and either then, or on some day of the week, the people should be instructed in its nature, and urged to make due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

PCUS 1925, DfW XI-3, § 349
and
PCUS 1894, DfW XI-3
It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

PCUSA 1797, DfW VIII-3
It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least, the sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it; that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

The Directory for the Publick Worship of God (1645), "Of the Celebration of the Communion"
Where this sacrament cannot with convenience be frequently administered, it is requisite that publick warning be given the sabbath-day before the administration thereof : and that either then, or on some day of that week, something concerning that ordinance, and the due preparation thereunto, and participation thereof, be taught; that, by the diligent use of all means sanctified of God to that end, both in publick and private, all may come better prepared to that heavenly feast.