“The Lutheran church believes, teaches and confesses that the Lord’s Supper is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, given to us Christians to eat and to drink. We hold that the bread and the wine in the Supper are the true body and blood of Christ and that these are given and received into the mouths of all who commune. Those who believe the promise: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,”receive forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. This promise, along with the bodily eating and drinking, is the main thing in the Sacrament.”(Synod Resources)
The Eucharist or Holy Communion was called the “medicine of immortality” by Christians of old. Like any medicine it can be received to one’s benefit or to one’s harm. For the sake of the holy Name of Jesus and His blessed institution of the Sacrament and out of Christian love and concern that no one receive the Sacrament to his or her harm (1 Corinthians 11:27-32), we only commune those:
- who have been instructed in what our church believes, especially as it is taught in Luther’s Small Catechism, and
- who have made public profession of that faith by membership in a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Those not instructed in the faith we confess and who are not making public profession of that faith by active church membership are kindly asked not to participate. If you are interested in learning what the Lutheran Church believes, teaches, and confesses, please inquire of the pastor regarding instructions.
All first time LCMS visitors please speak to the pastor prior to the service. Simply ask anyone in the congregation to introduce you.
More about our practice of “close communion” and the fellowship of “The Lord’s Supper” please click the links below:
Fellowship in the Lord’s Supper
Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Supper
If you have further questions, or would like to know more about partaking of Holy Communion, please contact us.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Warsaw, Indiana 