Running out of communion cups on Christmas Eve, or opening a box of wafers that has sat too long, are both avoidable. This guide shows how to work out what your church needs for a year, then how to order it: loose cups and wafers with trays, or prefilled communion cups.
The simple math
Multiply the number of people who take communion by the number of communion services in a year, then add about 10% for visitors and spills.
Example: 120 people with communion once a month: 120 × 12 = 1,440, plus 10% = about 1,600 cups and 1,600 wafers a year. With communion every week, it is 120 × 52 = 6,240, plus 10% = about 6,900.
Loose cups and wafers, or prefilled cups?
- Loose cups and wafers cost the least per person and suit churches that already have trays and volunteers to fill them. Communion cups come 1,000 to a box (and in a 6,000-count case); communion wafers come 1,000 to a box, and soft bread squares 500.
- Prefilled cups hold the juice and the wafer in one sealed cup, so there is nothing to fill or wash. They suit house churches, outdoor and hospital services, and large churches that want to save preparation time. Prefilled communion cups (Fellowship Cup, Simply Communion, Elements, World Communion Cup and Unity) come in boxes from 6 and 25 up to 1,200 and 1,600.
By church size
| Church | People | Cups and wafers a year (monthly communion, +10%) | What to order |
|---|---|---|---|
| House church or small group | 10–30 | 130–400 | Prefilled cups in boxes of 25 or 100; or a small group tray that holds 35 cups with one box of 1,000 cups and wafers |
| Small church | 50–150 | 660–2,000 | Two boxes of 1,000 cups and two of 1,000 wafers, and trays that hold 40 cups (four trays serve 160); or prefilled cups in 600- or 1,200-count boxes |
| Mid-sized church | 150–500 | 2,000–6,600 | The 6,000-count case of cups and wafers in boxes of 1,000, with enough 40-cup trays for one pass (about one tray per 40 people); or prefilled cups in 1,200- or 1,600-count boxes |
| Large church | 500+ | 6,600 and up | Cases of cups and wafers, or prefilled cups in 1,600-count boxes to cut preparation for several services |
Weekly communion multiplies these numbers by about four.
Trays and serving
Plan one tray for every 35 to 40 people served at once. Stackable trays with a cover and a center bread plate keep cups and bread together. See communion trays and serving ware, and a cup filler bottle with a squeeze spout for filling many cups quickly.
Gluten-free
Keep a few gluten-free options on hand for members who cannot have wheat: individually wrapped gluten-free wafers (25 count), gluten-free wafers and bread in boxes of 50 to 1,000, and prefilled cups with gluten-free bread. See gluten-free bread and wafers and our gluten-free communion wafers guide.
Plan for the big services
Christmas Eve, Easter and other high days can double attendance. Order for those services early, on top of your usual supply.
Save with a bundle
Our communion bundles put cups, bread and serving pieces together, each costing less than its items bought one by one.
Shop this guide: Economy Disposable Communion Cups - 1,000 per Box · Disposable Communion Cups - 1-1/4 Inches Tall, 1,000 per Box · Clear Communion Cups - 1,000 or 6,000 Count · see all.