The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Our congregation believes that Holy Communion is a gift of Christ to His Church. The apostle Paul wrote “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). Out of loving concern for those who worship with us and desire to commune and from our understanding of the Holy Scriptures, we request that those who commune:
- Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
- Profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior from sin, Satan, and death;
- Examine themselves, confessing their sin (as the Bible defines sin) and their need for God’s grace through this special means;
- Lead a God-pleasing life as defined by the Bible; that is, with the power of the Holy Spirit, strive, each day, to reflect true repentance of theirsinin how they live their life.
- Profess the “real presence” of Christ in this sacrament; that is, acknowledge the true presence of Christ’s body in the bread and His blood in the wine;
- Believe in Jesus’ words, “Given and shed for you;” and
- Recognize that participation at our table indicates public agreement with our understanding of this sacrament.
+ Non-communing children, teens, and adults may come to the altar to receive a blessing by forming an “X” across their chest.
+ Non-alcoholic white wine is available in the center ring of the individual cups for those with allergies or other concerns.
+ Adolescent children and adults who have not been confirmed(received instruction onthe major teachings of the Christian Faith from the Bible and “Luther’s Small Catechism”)in a Lutheran Church should not commune before speaking with the pastoror an elder.
+ Communion is offered the first and third Sundays of each month.
+ Membership in Hope Lutheran Church is obtained by transferring from another
Lutheran congregation or by participating in a new member class for adults.