Holy Communion: the sacrament of the altAR

We hold to the teaching that the crucified body and blood of Jesus is essentially and actually present in, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion. We do not try to define how this happens; this is a sacramental mystery.  But we know why it is offered.  It is offered for the forgiveness of our sins, and it strengthens our faith through our reception of His true body and blood in mystical union with bread and wine.

We believe what Holy Scripture tells us in the Gospels and in St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians that the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is present in, under, and with the bread and wine of Holy Communion. (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:24-26)  St. Paul asks: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." (1 Cor. 10:16-17, ESV)  He continues, "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, 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 on himself." (1 Cor. 11:26-29, ESV)

Baptized and confirmed members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (and those with whom we share Altar and Pulpit fellowship) have publicly confessed these beliefs.  Out of love and concern for your spiritual welfare, and not a desire to be exclusionary, we ask that those who do not yet share this understanding and confession of the Sacrament refrain from communing until they have been instructed in our beliefs regarding this Sacrament and brought into fellowship with us.  

If you are a visiting member from a congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod or a church in Altar and Pulpit fellowship, you are welcome to the altar rail to receive the body and blood of Jesus. If you have not been catechized in the Lutheran faith,  we ask that you speak to the pastor prior to the Service; he will welcome you to the altar rail to receive a blessing. If you would like to receive instruction in the faith of the Evangelical Lutheran faith, the pastor would be more than happy to explain the process.