And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 12:24-25
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, we celebrate Holy Communion as it was instituted by our Lord Jesus: the gift of his true body and blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Matt. 26:26-28). By sharing this meal together, baptized Christians confess that we are unified in faith & that this bread & wine are truly Christ’s body & blood as he promised. It is not merely a symbolic or spiritual eating & drinking. Since Scripture teaches that one can receive this gift to their harm & that each person should examine oneself before eating this meal (1 Cor. 11:27-28), we ask that members & visitors alike reflect on the following questions:
Those who answer “yes” to these questions are invited to join us at the table. There are many reasons why you might answer no to these questions as a visitor or member, none of which are cause for shame. It does not mean that you are not a Christian or that you are not welcome here. It may be that you are in active conflict with a brother or sister in Christ, especially in this community, or you are of a different confession of faith than this congregation (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod), or if you have not been instructed regarding communion. If one of these applies to you, or if you are unsure, we invite you to come forward with hands crossed to receive a blessing at the rail from the pastors. Following the service, please speak to one of our pastors, as we would love for you to join us at the Lord’s Supper in the future!
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, we celebrate Holy Communion as it was instituted by our Lord Jesus: the gift of his true body and blood, shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Matt. 26:26-28). By sharing this meal together, baptized Christians confess that we are unified in faith & that this bread & wine are truly Christ’s body & blood as he promised. It is not merely a symbolic or spiritual eating & drinking. Since Scripture teaches that one can receive this gift to their harm & that each person should examine oneself before eating this meal (1 Cor. 11:27-28), we ask that members & visitors alike reflect on the following questions:
Those who answer “yes” to these questions are invited to join us at the table. There are many reasons why you might answer no to these questions as a visitor or member, none of which are cause for shame. It does not mean that you are not a Christian or that you are not welcome here. It may be that you are in active conflict with a brother or sister in Christ, especially in this community, or you are of a different confession of faith than this congregation (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod), or if you have not been instructed regarding communion. If one of these applies to you, or if you are unsure, we invite you to come forward with hands crossed to receive a blessing at the rail from the pastors. Following the service, please speak to one of our pastors, as we would love for you to join us at the Lord’s Supper in the future!
At Bethlehem Lutheran Church, we celebrate Holy Communion as a sacred gift from our Lord Jesus, who offers His true body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that this meal is not merely symbolic but a real presence of Christ, uniting us in faith and grace.
In accordance with Scripture, we encourage all who intend to take communion to examine themselves using the questions provided. If you are a visitor, we recommend setting up a meeting with our pastors to discuss communion. They will gladly meet with you to ensure you can faithfully receive the Lord’s Supper. This will likely involve recognizing the true presence of Christ in the sacrament and considering membership with us.
If you are a visiting member of another LCMS church or a synod in fellowship with us, you are welcome to join us at the table after speaking with our pastors before the service.
We understand that our practice of closed communion can be challenging, but it is rooted in our commitment to biblical faithfulness and the unity of our confession. We invite everyone to come forward for a blessing, knowing that we all live in the favor of God. Our goal is to extend hospitality and care while upholding the sacredness of this sacrament. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us below.
Alcohol-removed white wine is in the center of each tray. Gluten Free Wafers are available upon request from the elder during distribution.
In the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the term “True Presence” refers to the belief that in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus Christ is truly present. This means that the bread and wine are not merely symbols, but that Christ’s true body and blood are present “in, with, and under” the elements. This belief is based on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: “This is my body” and “This is my blood” (Matthew 26:26-28). The LCMS teaches that through this sacrament, believers receive the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation, as Christ Himself is present to bless and strengthen them
We’re glad to tell you more about who we are! If you have more questions about our beliefs after looking this page over, or just want to chat, reach out to us!