Communion

Look down the middle aisle in this picture of our place of worship at Peace Lutheran.  What do you see?  

There is a cross.  This reminds us that all of our worship points to Jesus Christ and the work He has done for us through His life,  death, and resurrection.

 Below the cross is our altar, from which  communion or The Lord's Supper is served.   Our architecture reflects Biblical teaching.  Communion was central to Christian worship in the early church.  In Acts 2:42, the disciples gathered for "the breaking of the bread" each Lord's Day . . .in keeping with Jesus' command . . . "Do this (really, keep on doing this according to the Greek)  in remembrance of me."   1 Corinthians 11:23-24 

Like Baptism, Lutheran don't see communion as a Law-driven command or ordinance.  Rather, we see The Lord's Supper as a Means of Grace, which according to Jesus' own words, is given "for the forgiveness of sins"  Matthew 26::28    While we can be forgiven without ever taking communion, merely by faith in Jesus Christ, communion is a unique means in which God brings forgiveness by touch and taste to each  individual.   It is as if God says, "Just in case you think that this forgiveness is for everyone else except you. . . here, taste and see that this forgiveness of sins is for you!"

In giving communion, Jesus said, "This is my Body.  This is My Blood."   At the same time, Paul writes in describing communion, "When you eat this bread . . .when you drink this cup."  1 Corinthians 11::27.    So which is it?  Are we receiving Christ's body and blood?  Are we receiving just bread and wine?   Lutherans accept there are mysteries not meant for us to solve in the pages of the Bible.  We believe we are receiving Christ's body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine.   That is simply our way of saying that Scripture teaches that both are present and we believe God's Word.

Lutherans use unleavened bread and wine in communion, in that these were the elements used by Jesus.  For those who feel they can't or should not have wine for a variety of reasons, some individual cups of greatly diluted wine to the point that it is mostly water, are available to communicants.

Peace Lutheran serves the wine in both individual cups, or in a common cup, with the choice being up to communicants which they prefer.

Who is served communion at Peace Lutheran?  See the separate heading on that particular topic located on the tab above.