THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION  - Our Understanding and Practice  

Scripture teaches that Holy Communion is a sacred act, established by Christ Himself and given to the whole Church.  As members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we hold the doctrine of the Real Presence, meaning that Jesus really gives His true Body and Blood with the bread and wine, as He Himself says, “for the forgiveness of sins.”

 From our understanding of the Holy Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions, we practice Close Communion, meaning we must be in close agreement, not only about this Sacrament, but on all the major doctrines of the faith.  We ask that those who commune here: (1) be baptized Christians; (2) have gone through Lutheran Confirmation; (3) received special instruction from God’s Word regarding this Holy Meal.

 Worthy preparation at the Lord’s Table involves three questions:

 Do I REPENT of my sins, desiring to turn away from them, back to the Lord?

 Do I BELIEVE Jesus died and rose for me and gives me His Body and Blood this day “for the forgiveness of sins” ?

 Do I INTEND to use this means of grace to change my life, following His will and way?

 “Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29).  ONLY out of genuine care and concern for God’s people do we ask that those who come from another church body differing from the above Scriptural understanding, first speak with the pastor(s) concerning this Holy Meal before communing.