Advent Lutheran Church - Harford Co, MD

Preparation and Instruction for Participation in the Sacrament of the Altar (Lord’s Supper, Communion, Holy Eucharist)
The church has been given the responsibility of being “stewards of the mysteries of God” (I Corinthians 4:1). One of these mysteries is the Lord’s Supper which offers powerful gifts and blessings. Holy Communion is a unique sacred act which is to be taken seriously as explained in the Bible, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (I Corinthians 11:27-29) According to God’s Word, therefore, we are to believe in our hearts and answer YES to the following questions. Prayerfully consider: Do you believe you continually sin against the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that you deserve His wrath and punishment; are you repentant of all your sins as they are described in Scripture? Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins on Calvary and that He is the Son of God, true God, and your only Savior? Do you intend, with the help of God the Holy Spirit, to amend your sinful life and seek to live a sanctified life in Jesus? Do you believe that the Lord’s Supper is a miracle and that the wafer of bread you eat is also by God’s power the true and actual body of Jesus and that the sip of wine you drink is also by God’s power the true and actual blood of Jesus and that these elements do not simply symbolize His body and blood? If we can truly answer yes to all these questions, then as we partake of His body and blood, we will receive the forgiveness of sins, a unity with others in His church and with God, and ultimately, life and salvation. As the bread is offered, please open your hand palm up so the wafer can be placed there. As the wine is offered, you may choose to take one of the individual cups, or you may grasp the bottom of the chalice and take a sip from the communion cup. If you have chose the individual cup, please keep it visible to the one distributing the common cup so he does not try to give you the wine again. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the pastor before coming to the Lord’s Table.

Preparation and Instruction for Participation in the Sacrament of the Altar
(Lord’s Supper, Communion, Holy Eucharist)

The church has been given the responsibility of being “stewards of the mysteries of God” (I Corinthians 4:1). One of these mysteries is the Lord’s Supper which offers powerful gifts and blessings. Holy Communion is a unique sacred act which is to be taken seriously as explained in the Bible, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (I Corinthians 11:27-29)

According to God’s Word, therefore, we are to believe in our hearts and answer YES to the following questions. Prayerfully consider:

Do you believe you continually sin against the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that you deserve His wrath and punishment; are you repentant of all your sins as they are described in Scripture?

Do you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins on Calvary and that He is the Son of God, true God, and your only Savior?

Do you intend, with the help of God the Holy Spirit, to amend your sinful life and seek to live a sanctified life in Jesus?

Do you believe that the Lord’s Supper is a miracle and that the wafer of bread you eat is also by God’s power the true and actual body of Jesus and that the sip of wine you drink is also by God’s power the true and actual blood of Jesus and that these elements do not simply symbolize His body and blood?

If we can truly answer yes to all these questions, then as we partake of His body and blood, we will receive the forgiveness of sins, a unity with others in His church and with God, and ultimately, life and salvation.

As the bread is offered, please open your hand palm up so the wafer can be placed there. As the wine is offered, you may choose to take one of the individual cups, or you may grasp the bottom of the chalice and take a sip from the communion cup. If you have chose the individual cup, please keep it visible to the one distributing the common cup so he does not try to give you the wine again.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the pastor before coming to the Lord’s Table.