...about attending the Sacrament of the Altar (aka, "Holy Communion," the "Lord's Supper," the "Eucharist") at Immanuel

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Communion Statement 
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another.

Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us, so that we may proclaim His death until He comes.

Because those who eat and drink our Lord's body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and the congregations of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, yet desire to receive the sacrament, are asked first to speak with the pastor or refrain from communing.

For more information about this meal—it’s meaning and reception—you are encouraged to speak with the pastor.

For further study, see Matthew 5:23f.; 10:32f.; 18:15-35; 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:17-34

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...about receiving the Sacrament

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To assist an individual regarding reception of the Sacrament of the Altar, please reflect on the following: 

When you examine yourself before receiving the Lord’s Supper as the Bible instructs one to do [1 Corinthians 11:28], review the thorough teaching you received from God’s Word.

Ask yourself these questions:

Have I confessed and repented* of my sins? 

[Acts 3:19]

Do I believe that in the Lord’s Supper I am receiving the actual body and blood of Christ, under the bread and wine, into my mouth, for the forgiveness of my sins? 

[1 Corinthians 10:16]

Do I share the confession and unity of this congregation?

[Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:17]

Will I, with the Lord’s help, amend my sinful life?
[Ephesians 4:22-24]

Also, see “Christian Questions with their Answers” prepared by Dr. Martin Luther for those who intend to go to the Sacrament.  These helpful 20 questions are found in the Lutheran Service Book, p. 329

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*repent:  to renounce sin, request God’s mercy and return to and live according to His way.
 

(rev. 2022)