Holy Communion
The Sacrament of Holy Communion, also known as
the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord's Supper, or the
Eucharist, is one of two sacraments in the Lutheran Church.
A sacrament is a "visible sign of an invisible grace." As such,
Holy Communion is an act of God in which God gives us
God's forgiving love, nourishes faith, and calls us to be
witnesses to the Gospel, through God's Word and earthly
elements. In the case of Holy Communion, the earthly
elements are bread and wine. We believe the Lord's Supper
was instituted by Christ; that Jesus Christ is truly present in
this Sacrament; and that by receiving our Lord's body
and blood, God forgives our sins.
The table of Holy Communion is open to any baptized
Christian who has received instruction in the meaning of
the sacrament. Children and those who have not yet
received this instruction are invited to come forward to
receive God's blessing.
For reasons of health, some may commune by taking
one element, either bread or wine; the crucified and risen
Christ is fully present for them in, with, and under this one
element. At our communion table, we also offer grape juice
for those who prefer that option. The glasses of grape juice
will be found in the tray of clean glasses distributed by the
acolyte. For those with special dietary needs we are now
offering gluten-free communion wafers.
During the Great Thanksgiving and Words of
Institution, the pastor will remind us of the night our Lord
hosted the Last Supper with his disciples, his being handed
over to the authorities, his suffering and death on the cross,
and his rising from the dead; all part of God's plan in order
for Jesus to accomplish all things for our salvation.
The time while we are waiting to come to the table is
an opportunity to offer our personal word of confession to
God, believing that the God to whom we confess is the God
who freely forgives us in Christ. We can reflect with humble
joy that we are invited to the meal of the Kingdom, to
encounter the Lord at a personal level, and to feast with all
the saints because of what Christ has done to redeem us.
When it is time to administer the communion meal,
the ushers will direct you from the side aisles to the
communion table. Those who are able may kneel at the rail.
Usually, people exit the communion table using the same
path they followed to the table.
After receiving communion and returning to the pew, it
is appropriate to take some time to offer to God a word of
thanksgiving for God's mercy received.
Everyone receiving Holy Communion should sign a
communion card in the pew rack or check the communion
column after your name on the Welcome to Worship sheet, if
you have not yet done so this year. Visitors are encouraged
to do this as well, providing the address of their congregation
so their records can be kept up-to-date.