LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 349

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10

THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS

Since tne Lord's Supper is the church's confession of its unity in
farth and practice. the whole church irrespective of age or special
interests. iS properly invited and welcome at the Lords Table. To be
avoided are tendencies to regard the Sacrament as more meaningful
when partaken of in a beautiful setting, such as a mountain retreat or
with ones own family or close friends

The manitoid benefits of the Lord's Supper are offered to the
communicant on the basis of Christ's word and promise. Tne
church's focus shouid remain on the gracious promise of the Savior
as He comes in bread and wine to His people

!s It appropriate to have Holy Communion on synodical campuses?

There are no Scriptura! or contessional texts which would pre-
clude such a practice. In the case of a seminary or college commu-
nity. the church in tne form of a local congregation can provide for
Holy Communion Tne same need for pastoral care. for confessiona:
agreement and for good order exists which was stipulated for any
extracongregational service icf pp 23—24)

!s it proper to celebrate Communion at a wedding?

While there are no explicit passages of Holy Scripture which
would preclude a nuptiat Communion. there are weighty reasons to
discourage such celebrations under normal circumstances. First. it
's clear that the Lord's Supper is at the center of the public worship
of the Christian congregation icf discussion on pages 8—9. 23.
28—29) Inasmuch as the Marriage Ceremony. in the popular ming
would frequently replace the Sacrament as the center of the worship
it would not be fitting to multiply settings where tnis would be a
probable attitude. Secondly. it would be logistically difficult to
Preserve confessional integrity at such a celebration of the Lord's
Supper. since family and friends frequentiy come from a variety of
Christian and even non-Christian backgrounds

When ts private Communion appropriate?

Private Communion 1s the administration of Holy Communion
to an individual or group of individuals who cannot attend the
regular Eucharistic worship of the congregation. The poor health of
those involved or a variety of extenuating circumstances may lead
the pastor and congregation to provide these special Communion
services. Such worship ts to be a miniature of the congregational
Communion service. with a devotion from God's Word, confession
and absolution. consecration. distribution prayers. and benediction

May the elders take the consecrated elements to the sick and to
snut-ins after the Communion service?

The chief consideration regarding such a practice 1s that the

rouse anc iT pei us the more to partake of it more treauently
especially since we xnow tat tne Son of God gradually
kirdies “ncreases. and strengthens repentance anc fastn in us
more ang more tnrough this means For this medicine nas
Deen prepared and providec for the sick wno acknowledge
ineir srfirr-ty and seek Counse: and neip -

's it appropriate to commune infants?

No St Paul says “Let aman examine himseit. and so eat of the
bread and drink of the cup’ i1 Cor 1128) Since infants cannot
examine themselves. it is inappropriate to commune them The pre-
cise age at wnich a child can examine himself 1s not determined in
the Scriptures For the sake of order and to avoid confusion, tne
practice of a church body shouid be as uniform as possible in this
matter

What special considerations should be taken into account regarding
the participation of mentally impaired persons in Holy Communion?

Caution should be employed so that the mentally impaired not
be required to communicate their faith in the usual manner Family
friends, social workers. and others can greatly assist the pastor in
communicating with the mentally impaired It should be kept in ming
that there are those individuals who may lack only the usual avenues
of expression and therefore may be unable to communicate fully a
confession of their faith When there is in the mentally impaired trust
that tne body and blood of the crucified and risen Lord ts sacramen-
tally present in the elements of the Lord's Supper a basic understand-
Ing of wnat the Sacrament offers the communicant, and an ability to
examine ones fife {1 Cor 11 17-34). participation in Holy Commu-
nion is to be encouraged

How often should the Lord's Supper be offered in a congregation?

No fixed number can be given in response to this question
However it should be remembered that the Lord's Supper is not to
be regarded as an ‘extra’ or an “appendage” to regular Christian
worship While some cnurches relegate the Lord’s Supper to an
incidental and occasional role in the churchs worship. tne
Scriptures place the breaking of bread” at the center of worship
‘Acts 242.207. cf 1 Cor 1120.33)

Similarly. the Confessions regard the Sacrament of the Altar as
a regular and constitutive feature of the worship of Christs church

To beg'r with we must repeat the oretatory Statement

tnat we Co Not abolisn tne Mass put religiously keep and

detend 1: Im our churches Mass 1s celebratec every Sunday

and on otner festivals when the sacrament is offered to those

Marte Cremriz Mfristy Wore ace Sacraments co *

role of the pastor in the sacramental Ife of the church should not be
displaced. The opportunity to conduct a brief service of confession
and absolution. to involve other family members in the private Com-
munion. and to be a shepherd for the flock suggests that wnenever
possible the pastor wiil distribute the elements to the communicants
icf pp 13-15)

8 What constitutes worthy reception of tne Lora’s Supper?

Luther's words are as Scriptural and as concise as any which
could be written on this point

Fast:ng anc bodily preparation are indeed a fire outward
traning but ne is truly worthy and wel: prepared wno nas.
faith in these words Given and shed for you ‘or tre rems-
s.or of sings” But re trat does not believe trese words o°
coubts ‘$s unworthy and unpreparec for :ne words tor you
reaure al! hearts to Deneve SC VI ‘0 quoted ‘rom 1943
“stersynoorcal Catect's™ 9 27)

Martin Chemnitz amplifies in a pastora! manner as he writes 10
answer to the question “How. then. shouid a man examine or look
into himself. so that he might eat and drink worthily in the noly
Supper?

This worthy eating coes not consist ip a mans Durty
rouness or perfection For they wno are hea'try do not neec
a doctor Dut they who are not healthy :Mt9°2) But by way
of contrast with the unworthy one can understand very easily
Now that examination or exploration +s to be undertaker
namely

First. let the ming consider of what nature tne act of "5
Supper 1s. who is present there. (arg! what king of food is
oferea and taker there so that one muget prepare nimsel*
with Cue humility and piety for ts receptior

Second let aman about to approach the Lore s Table be
ercowed with tne king of reart that serious'y acknowledges
mS SINS and errors anc shudders at tne wrath of Goa and
Goes not deligntin sin putts troubled anc grieved ‘by it’ and
nas tne earnest purpose to amend [his ute’

Third that the ming sincerely give itself to this concern
that it might not perisn in sins under the wrath of Goc and
trerefore with ardent desire thirst for and tong for the grace of
God so that by true fan in the obedience passion. arc
deatr of Christ that is on the offering of ‘His’ boay and
snedding of His blood 1! seek deg. lay Roid on and apply to
'tself the grace of God forgiveness of sins and salvation He
that examines anc prepares himself in tnis way Ne truly uses
tne Sacrament wortrily ot unto juagmert put unto
sa'vator Ang though a’! these things are ste: weax. infirm
4nd Siuggish. yet one snouid not for that reason apsta:n from
tne Pov Supper Ratner or tne contrary tnis very reason wi!

wro wisn for it after tney rave been examined arc absoivec
AD XXIV. 11

Tnus the spoken Word of tne liturgy and sermon and the signed
Word of Baptism and the Lord's Supper constitute the two foc: of
Lutneran worship

12 How often should one participate in the Lords Supper?
Tne following counsel by Or Martin Chemnitz is appropriate

Crist dia not want tne use of tris Sacramert to be
bound ether to a cerla™ time or to certait Gays except that
Pa.si Says that the Lord s Supper is to be celebrated when the
churcn gatners to commemorate the ceatr of tne Lora 1 Co
“**6-26 But it's certar trat God warts us to use ths
Sacrament not only once as we are baptized once Dut ofter
ang frequently 1Co** 26 Ins mot for ary ™an to givea
specific answer to this either with a mumper crwth a certain
measure otner tnan as often as a troublec conscience feeis
arc recognizes tnat :| Xeeds tnose benefits that are offered :n
me Supper for comfort anc strengthen:g Consciences are
cneretore not to be forced but aroused to frequent use of tris

~oper Dy earnest agmoniton and corsiderat.om of Pow
necessary ‘anc! lixewise Now salutary anc prc!tapie the use
of ris Supper is for us Sut ne that does “ot atteng this mos?
"oy table thereby Clearly snows that he is a Creistiar in name
rather tnan im fact ramery that ne is one wro negiects and
cespises the commanc of nis Savior who says Eat. arink
arc co ths as ofter etc +

13 Can a quatified male assist with the distribution of the elemerts i>
the service of Holy Communion?

Yes A pastor and congregation can mutually designate that a
qualifed maleis) member of the congregation assist the pastor Great
care shouid be taken in such cases to educate such an assistant’ s: ir
the proper execution of this function ~ Adequate instruction wil
provide the theologica! rationale for the church s liturgical traditions
As 1S appropriate for those wno handle holy things. reverence snould
mark the manner of any associated with the administration of the
Lord's Supper

Treter™ Mass was usec 7 !™e Reformator per od tc ses grate '"e s
ory Commun or Tre Corfessions if course removeca
tory Sacet ce “me © Usage ct tne te

“Marte Cmemeaz Movstry word ang Sacrarerts 5°

Weir respect to the cstv Dutce of tne Sacrarec: romay De Ca eS tS
Rubrc 28 = te A ‘ae Boor 3! Lineran Worsh.p pp 3 osiarce ''™a, 26 42
to pot s at Sirce tre acm." stravor of tne Loras noc, “5 the dees ve ac

admiss:o tc tre Sacrament tne pres arg m-" ster as tne resporsibie ™ mister of tne
Sacramer: ¢ str Dutes tne ody tire oS “he asssing > sters may ciste bute tre
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