Communion Practices

I’m a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) in Hays. In the Lutheran church, we believe that the true body and blood of Christ are given to us in the Sacrament of Holy Communion “in, with, and under” the bread and the wine. The bread can be any bread, and in our church gluten free bread is available; and grape juice may be used instead of wine (in our church, both are offered). The service of Holy Communion varies from congregation to congregation.

At Trinity, we are invited forward to the altar in small groups. Each person is offered the bread and the wine in turn-the pastor gives out the bread, and a layperson gives out the wine. People have the option of taking only the bread or the wine if they wish; of taking grape juice instead of wine; or of just receiving a blessing instead of communion. If they wish to do that, they cross their arms to tell the pastor that they wish to only receive a blessing. ELCA Lutherans practice open communion, which means that anyone is welcome to receive at the table. Some of our congregations do require that recipients receive First Communion instruction, usually given in fifth grade; or, that they be confirmed, usually at age 13. At Trinity, all are welcome at the table.

Our understanding of what happens in Communion comes from Jesus’ words when He instituted the Sacrament with His disciples, in the Upper Room, “on the night in which He was betrayed.” He said, “Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28) Also, in the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:55). We believe that Jesus meant what He said.

However, we also believe that Paul meant what he said when he wrote, “Is the cup which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ?” So, we believe that the bread remains bread and the cup contains wine or grape juice, but with them we receive Christ’s body and blood. (Some call this “consubstantiation,” but Lutherans generally don’t use that term). At one time Lutherans celebrated Communion only a few times a year, but in recent years we have begun celebrating more frequently, every Sunday in many congregations. At Trinity, it is usually celebrated on Sundays whenever our pastor is available to preside. For me, Communion is always a highlight of worship, which I believe, along with Luther, brings us “forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.”

(Scripture quotes are from the New American Standard Bible, 2022 edition)

Pastor Jon Anderson is a retired ELCA Pastor.