Communion

In Holy Communion God nourishes our faith, provides forgiveness and calls us to be witnesses to the Gospel. We receive the body (bread) and blood (wine) by faith, and through them our faith is strengthened and renewed. Catechesis, or teaching the faith, prior to “first communion” has been a part of the Lutheran tradition since its origins. In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther writes:

herefore let every head of a household remember that it is his duty, by God’s injunction and command, to teach or have taught to his children the things they ought to know. Since they are baptized and received into the Christian church, they should also enjoy this fellowship of the sacrament so that they may serve us and be useful.

For many Lutherans, the catechesis concerning the Lord’s Supper was a part of their confirmation instruction. However, by the late 1960’s, the age of “first communion” was lowered in many congregations, most often to at or near 5th grade. By the late 1990’s the issue of age was reviewed again. In The Use of the Means of Grace, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America removed the mention of any specific age fro its teaching statement, instead the statement reads:

Baptized children begin to commune on a regular basis at a time determined through mutual conversation that includes the pastor, the child, and the parents or sponsors involved, within the accepted practices of the congregation. Ordinarily this beginning will occur only when children can eat and drink and can start to respond to the gift of Christ in the Supper.

Admission to the Sacraments is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized. However, we strive to, “Avoid both reducing the Lord’s Supper to an act effective by its mere performance without faith and narrowing faith to intellectual understanding of Christ’s presence and gifts.” Therefore, in all cases, participation in Holy Communion is accompanied by catechesis, and this catechesis continues throughout the life of the believer. This catechesis is done in response to Christ’s command to, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

At Grace, First Communion is the Seventh Stepping Stone and has traditionally been offered to children in the fourth grade. However, if the parents or sponsors would like for their child to receive communion at a younger age, it may be discussed with pastor.