Lutheran church service communion...?

Question

First time at a Lutheran service. Everyone took communion. I didn't. What's the protocol for that? I'm not baptized or Lutheran.
Husband was baptized Catholic- can he take communion?
What do I do next Sunday?
Thanks for insight.

It was Missouri Synod.
Did I call it the right thing?
I meant going to the alter and receiving the little wafer + wine.

Answer 1

Dear Sabine,

I'm glad to hear that you are going back next Sunday.

I was baptized and confirmed in a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Congregation in Canada. We are now self governing and are called Lutheran Church Canada. We are in Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with LCMS, and many other "Confessional" Synods throughout the world.

I am currently serving our congregation of one of four Elders. I believe that I can explain the LCMS official policy regarding Communion.

As stated in some of the answers above; we practice closed communion. This is done out of Christian love and concern to prevent those with the wrong understanding or no understanding from bringing damnation to themselves. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body, 1 Cor. 11:28, 29. Closed communion is also done to prevent our Church from facilitating this damnation to those who do not understand the commitment (repentance) and belief and understanding that our Lord requires.

In Question 326 in Luther's Small Catechism: To whom must the Lord's Supper be denied.

Answers: A. th those who are known to be ungodly and impenitent

B. To those who have given offense and have not removed it.

C. To those who are not able to examine themselves, such as young children and adults who have not been sufficiently instructed. and persons who are unconscious

D. To those of a different faith, since the Lord's Supper is a testimony of the unity of faith. Read Acts 2:42, and Rom. 16:17.

In most Churches, the greeters and elders will direct non-members to the Pastor before service.

In situations (like my congregation) where the Pastor looks after 2 parishes he usually can't be at the second Church early enough to talk to visitors. In this situation the responsibility usually falls on the elders. Those who are in fellowship are noted and pointed out to the Pastor when he arrives, otherwise he will bless them, but pass by them with the Sacrament as they kneel at the Altar rail.

There is also what is called "Pastoral Discretion". This allows the Pastor to Commune non members who are in dire need: where there is understanding, and death is imminent, or when a person has understanding, and a profound spiritual need, but these people would have to be baptized first. Baptism in the name of the Trinity from ANY Christian Denomination is accepted by the Lutheran Church.

One example of Pastoral Discretion exercised by our current Pastor was in his previous Parish. This parish was in a somewhat remote area of Northwestern Ontario. In this community there was no Eastern Orthodox Congregation, but there was a family of EO Christian who where there on account of work opportunities. Pastor explained to them our practice, and also the doctrine of the EO Church. A member of and EO congregation who communes with an other denomination is automatically ex-communicated from the EO Church.

A few days later Pastor received a phone call from this family's EO Bishop asking to meet with him. The Bishop and their Priest drove many hours, (almost 20) to meet with him.

After meeting with him, and Pastor calling his District President (kind of like a Bishop), the family was allowed to commune in the Lutheran Church, doctrine regarding the sacrament is similar, and the EO Bishop and Priest (and our Pastor) recognized the desire and need of these people to be admitted to the Sacrament.

One does not need to be baptized to receive a blessing at the Altar during Communion. We are all Children of God, wether baptized, or not, believer, or non believer, (however an non believer should not mock God, and although he may receive a blessing, a blessing will do him little good.

General practice in the Lutheran and Catholic Church is wether kneeling or standing, to cross your arms over your chest, tips of your Right fingers touching your left shoulder, Left on the right. This shows a desire to recieve a blessing only.

Just as a closing note: St. Augustine, after studying scripture concluded that any one desiring to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion, who does not receive it by physically eating and drinking of the bread and wine, does however receive the benefits and grace (forgiveness of sins) conveyed in the sacrament spiritually.

Speak to the Pastor, I think that you will find him easy to talk to. The instruction that is required for membership it the LCMS is not obscure or difficult to understand. You will learn basic Biblical truth, that all Christians should know. During instruction you will also find that Questions are welcome, and encouraged. If I was a betting man, I would wager that you will even enjoy this instruction, and wish to continue with more study and fellowship with adult Bible Studies, as well as the Church service itself.

Mark

Answer 2

Well, this question is probably trickier than you thought. There are several different branches of Lutherans; the two largest (I think) are called Missouri Synod and ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, of which I am a member). Each has its own views on this question. The Missouri Synod is more conservative, and to receive Communion there they do require you to be baptized (though, I doubt they will ask you if you go to the altar)--any baptism within a mainstream Christian denomination (including Catholics) are recognized, to my knowledge. ELCA churches are a bit more liberal on this point, though technically speaking, I think that we also require baptism prior to taking Communion (that being said, my Pastor allows anyone to take it)--again, any mainstream denomination Baptism is recognized.

My own personal understanding is this: Communion is a means of grace--this means that if we have faith in the promise (of forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Jesus Christ) that is given as we receive the bread and the wine, then it is not wrong to take Communion, even if unbaptized. However, if we you receive Communion without believing the promise, then not only do you not receive the promise, but you mislead those who observe your taking Communion, because by your actions they presume you have a faith that you don't--in this sense, it is wrong.

My advice would be for next Sunday, speak with the Pastor of the church, and inquiry about getting Baptized (which ideally, should be done first), and whether or not you should take Communion in the interim.

And welcome to the Lutheran denomination :) :)

Answer 3

There is no need to feel awkward about not receiving communion--in churches that believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in communion, it's quite common for people to not receive Him on any given week for a variety of reasons. Unless it's a very small church, you probably weren't the only one who sat it out, though it can seem like it sometimes.

If your husband intends to remain in good standing with the Catholic Church, he should not receive communion in the Lutheran Church, because Catholics do not consider our Eucharist to be validly consecrated. Even if this is not a concern for him, you should both talk to the pastor prior to receiving communion.

Receiving Jesus' flesh and blood is a serious matter because through the sacrament you are receiving a portion of your eternal reward. Therefore, if you receive Him without believing He is really present, or receive when you are not in a state of grace, you are actually receiving judgment upon yourself.

Edit: I just re-read your question and realized you said that you're not baptized at all (I originally read it as "not baptized Lutheran"). Not being baptized, you do not qualify to receive communion. The Lutheran view on baptism is very similar to the Catholic view, so your husband can probably explain this.

Answer 4

I grew up Lutheran.
Technically unless you were confirmed in the Lutheran Church, that is what made you able to recieve communion (not baptism).
Our church was "relaxed" about non-members/ visitors recieving communion if they were members of other churches that were actively recieving communion there...but it was always up to the individual person-- so sometimes people would opt not to go thru the communion line & other times they would (at a wedding, at a holiday etc...)
If you are thinking that you might like to join this church then I would talk to the minister there & ask him what the protocol is for this.
If you were never baptized or confirmed in any religion, then you will probably not be able to go thru the line & recieve communion. Your husband may be able to do so if he recieved communion in the Catholic church, depending on the minister & denomination/ sect of the Lutheran church that you are now attending.

This is not to "exclude" you-- but the act of taking communion is a "rite" you go thru after you have taken proper classes & religous education--then sort of promise to live up to the Christian / Lutheran/Catholic/whatever code of ethics & that you understand WHY you take communion.
even as children when we had been baptised, we still didn't get to go to communion until we had taken all the classes & learned what we needed to (as a Lutheran, at about age 14) then we finally got "confirmed" as a member of the church to take communion.

so, long answer, but talk to the minister before you go in next week-- the office should be open during the week -- make a call & ask to go in & talk, or just chat on the phone.

Answer 5

Since it was a Missouri Synod Lutheran church, generally neither you nor your husband would be admitted to communion...many of their churches can be very strict about that.

If you were to go to an ELCA Lutheran church, your husband would be invited to communion with no questions because he is baptized. You would find a number of ELCA pastors who would not have a problem with you communing, as well, though the fact you've not been baptized would be an issue of conscience for many pastors. The pattern throughout Christian history has been that one is first baptized, and joined with Christ in that baptism, and then one continues to share in Christ at the table. Many pastors today, however, see the fellowship that we enjoy at the table as being the most important thing, and would ask you only whether you believe that Christ has invited you to the table.

If you were to come to the table, I would not refuse you. I might talk with you afterwards to commend you for your desire to commune, which I see as the Holy Spirit calling you to faith, and to encourage you to look toward baptism as the means of marking you with the cross of Christ forever, and as the first step on a marvelous journey with Christ.

Ask the pastor at that church what his position is (I say "his" because the Missouri Synod folks don't ordain women) . If he says no, that you and your husband should not commune at this point, please try not to take it as an act of exclusion. He most likely will just be concerned that you have the fullest experience possible and in the "right" order.

Also bear in mind, if it makes you feel any better, that Missouri Synod Lutherans generally will not admit even other Lutherans to communion--and some Missouri Synod churches won't allow even other Missouri Synod Lutherans to commune unless they have first gone to the pastor to discuss it. ELCA churches tend to have a different view of communion, and welcome non-Lutherans to the table, so you might consider checking out an ELCA congregation.

Hope that helps!

Keith

Answer 6

At this point, you probably did the right thing. Generally if you are baptized you can go up for a blessing. But as you are not baptized, that would not be appropriate either. If you feel comfortable, I would speak with the pastor or one of the elders. They will be able to help you, and also help you determine if you want to take instruction and be baptized.
As for your husband, he may go up for a blessing, but he may not take communion. LCMS has close communion, where you must be a Lutheran to commune, and even the ELCA does not allow for Catholics to commune.
I wish you well on your journey and hope that you will be baptized in time and you will both go through instruction to become Lutherans.
May God's peace be with you!

Answer 7

Almost all Christian denominations require baptism before you can take Communion. In addition, "Misery Synod" Lutherans only offer Communion to other members of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, so you're doubly screwed. Roman Catholic policy requires its adherents to refrain from taking Communion in other churches, with a few exceptions, so your husband is barred from taking Communion in an LCMS church by both their policies and his church's policies.

Both Roman Catholics and Lutherans believe that the bread and wine really become the Body and Blood of Christ (though they differ in their explanations), but unfortunately we live in a broken church that does not have full intercommunion between all parts.

Answer 8

Sounds like "closed" communion, which the Wisconsin, and Missouri Synods practice, amongst a couple of others.
No offense need be taken; they do this as they do not wish you to eat or drink damnation upon yourself.
That may sound a bit bizarre, but really you need only visit with the pastor, or one of the elders briefly before the service where they will be only too happy to explain this to you.
If you are really serious about your question, try googling lcms.org and read what they have to write on your question.

Answer 9

You have to be Baptized and confirmed as a Lutheran before you can legitimately receive communion.
At least you did when I used to be one.
Of course, I was baptized as an infant, and then later confirmed. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that by reason of the whole confirmation process, (not in the Bible) that infant Baptism is unscriptural.

Answer 10

Catholics don't and generally should never receive communion at non-Catholic services.

Your husband should be attending a Catholic Mass, and should be receiving communion there, after making sure he's properly disposed to recieve worthily, which is typically accomplished through the sacrament of reconciliation.

You ought to enroll in a Catholic RCIA course to find out what all this is really about. Then you can decide what tto do next.

Failing that, talk to the Lutheran minister about it.

Answer 11

Speak with the leader of the congregation... I think Lutherans still call them priests... if he is truly a man of God He will gladly give you gentle instruction in the protocols of that denomination.