Holy Communion

Lutherans use the term "sacrament" to describe two parts of Christian life and worship where an earthly element or sign is linked with God’s promise and Christ’s directive. The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ commanded Baptism and Holy Communion. For Lutherans, these are rituals of worship but each also shapes broader understanding and daily living.

In the Sacrament of Holy Communion, after hearing and experiencing the good news of Jesus Christ in word, prayer and song, the community receives bread and wine. They experience the tangible presence of Christ by eating and drinking these elements.

The outward signs of the sacrament are simple earthly elements: bread and wine. Yet, together with the spoken promise of God these elements convey the presence of Jesus Christ to the assembly of believers. Martin Luther said that Jesus is present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine. We believe this because Jesus says it is so (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20) even when we cannot fully explain how it happens.

The presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion is a great treasure that is received in faith. In the eating and drinking of bread and wine, we experience love, forgiveness and life of Christ is ours. In the sacrament, Christ takes on our sin while we take on Christ’s righteousness. The sacrament’s emphasis is on God’s action rather than the strength of our faith.

The variety of names Lutherans use for Holy Communion demonstrates the many facets of our understanding about God’s action in the sacrament. Those names may include:

• "The Lord’s Supper," which emphasizes that this is a meal commanded and hosted by the risen Lord which also remembers Jesus’ last supper with his disciples;
• "Holy Communion," which accentuates the community established by the Holy Spirit as we encounter Christ in the meal – community with God in Christ and community with others who share in this meal;
• "Eucharist," which encourages us to see the whole meal as thanksgiving for God’s gifts of creation and redemption through Jesus Christ;
• "The Meal," which indicates that God is feeding us spiritually with promises of forgiveness, life, and eternal salvation;
• the "Divine Liturgy," which emphasizes the public action carried out by a community of people; and
• "Divine Service," which helps us to see God’s service to us. We are called to respond in service to others. (from Principle 36, and Background 36A in The Use of the Means of Grace)

The sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated within the assembled community at worship. In the meal, the worshiping assembly is bound together as the body of Christ taking on the joys and sufferings of that particular assembly as well as every Christian assembly of every time and place. Therefore, Holy Communion is a meal that leads directly to the ministry of the church to those in need in the community and the world.

With these shared understandings of the sacrament the practices surrounding Holy Communion throughout the Lutheran Church vary. Martin Luther urged churches to celebrate the sacrament often in the worshiping assembly because the meal “nourishes and strengthens the new creature -- developing and progressing in the life of faith,” but actual practice varies (Martin Luther’s Large Catechism) In different congregations, variations can also be seen in distribution patterns, type of bread, color of wine, age of communicants, means by which the sacrament is provided for those who are absent, and more.

"Believing in the real presence of Christ, this church practices eucharistic hospitality. All baptized persons are welcomed to Communion when they are visiting in the congregations of this church." (Principle 49 of The Use of the Means of Grace)

An ordained pastor presides at the service of Holy Communion in the name of Christ. The ordained pastor of the community is the one called to public responsibility for the ministry of the sacrament in that congregation. This includes overseeing the distribution of the sacrament to those members of the community who cannot be present in worship. Lay assisting ministers may serve a variety of roles within the worship service including as those who prepare for the meal and servers of Communion.

Because of the universal nature of the Church, Lutherans long for unity in the celebration of Holy Communion among Christians across denominational lines.. When visiting other churches, Lutherans will respect the practices of the host congregation and make a decision about participation informed by their Lutheran understanding of the sacrament. Lutheran pastors may be involved in the celebration of Holy Communion in other churches with which the ELCA has a reciprocal ecumenical agreement. (See The Use of the Means of Grace, Principle 50 and applications.)