A Sacrament Sunday – Baptism and Communion

St. Luke’s Baptism Orientation
11:15 AM-Noon, Sunday, March 17
Gather at the Font in the Sanctuary

St. Luke’s “First” Communion Class and Training
11:15 AM-1 PM, Sunday, March 17
Gather in Fellowship Hall

This Sunday as a congregation we will celebrate Holy Communion during worship. Following worship there will be a Baptism Class and a First Communion Class. Baptism and Communion are the only two sacraments in the Lutheran Faith.

A Sacrament is something we do, which is commanded by God and we receive God’s grace. Baptism and Holy Communion are the two rites which fit both those categories.
Baptism Class is for those interested in being baptized or affirming their baptism.

First Communion is for those who want to learn about communion, followed by a training for those who would like to take communion for the first time.
 
We Baptize because it’s what Jesus has commanded us to do! “Go therefore and baptize…” In Baptism, God has chosen us, and we believe that through the waters of Baptism we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which grants us faith in Jesus Christ. This gift is eternal and provides forgiveness of sins and a new birth as a child of God. Join us whether you are an adult seeking Baptism or interested in affirming your baptism, or have a child you wish to have baptized.

In the Scriptures it is clear that entire households were baptized—including children—so, we welcome and encourage parents to have their children baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As they grow in years, it is our privilege as parents to help our children learn what it means to have been “marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit.”

Be not afraid! You are not alone in this. The church also takes great joy in helping you raise your child in the faith. (See our Milestone Ministries.)

HOLY COMMUNION With wafers (gluten-free available) and wine (dark) or grape juice (light). 
St. Luke’s celebrates communion the 1st and 3rd Sundays during worship along with other special worships throughout the year.

Receiving communion is Jesus inviting us to the table and providing us with all that we need to live in this world and the next. We believe that Christ is present in the meal. When Jesus held up the bread and wine, He said, “This is my body . . . This is my blood.”

Communion of the most intimate acts of discipleship. I imagine the curiosity of the disciples as Jesus took bread and wine and said to them,

“This is my body, take and eat. This is my blood, take and drink.”

Following the meal. It is always a privilege to announce,

“The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.”

Such a beautiful and meaningful expression of our faith sadly turns into controversy. It’s as if we didn’t even hear the Post Communion Blessing, that these earthly elements, blessed and received, fill us with Jesus’ strength and grace, as we bicker over the particulars:

• At what age do congregation members receive communion?
• How do we properly receive communion?
• Does the bread and wine really turn into Jesus body and blood? Question of transubstantiation.
• Is a wafer an acceptable alternative to bread? Is grape juice acceptable for wine?
• Can you eat the wafer if it falls on the floor?
• Should you stand or kneel down?
• Are Gluten-free wafers an acceptable according to the Church?
• Which one is proper: Intinction, Common Cup, or individual glasses?

 
Here at St. Luke’s, we invite all children four years of age and older, along with adults to attend the First Communion Class and Training. Faith Formation is a lifelong journey, so no one ever ages out of it. All are welcome.

It would be fun to hear your comments on these:

What does it mean to you to receive communion?
​
What questions do you have about communion?