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The Last Supper as represented by Leonardo da Vinci

The Eucharist in the Lutheran Church (also called the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Table, Holy Communion, the Breaking of the Bread, and the Blessed Sacrament^[1][2]) refers to the celebration of the Last Supper.

This article deals mainly with the practices and beliefs surrounding the Eucharist as practiced by Lutheran denominations which identify with Lutheran Orthodoxy. Although there is agreement among most Lutheran branches on the core meaning of the Eucharist^[3][4][5] there is also a significant divide between conservative and liberal beliefs.^[6]

[edit] Beliefs

Lutherans believe that the Body and Blood of Christ are "truly and substantially present in, with and under the forms" of consecrated bread and wine (the elements)^[7], so that communicants eat and drink both the elements and the true Body and Blood of Christ Himself^[8] in the Sacrament of Holy Communion whether they are believers or unbelievers.^[9][10] The Lutheran doctrine of the Real Presence is also known as "the sacramental union.^[11][12] This theology was first formally and publicly confessed in the Wittenberg Concord.^[13] It has been called "consubstantiation", but Lutheran theologians reject the use of this term, as it creates confusion with an earlier doctrine of the same name.^[14] Lutherans use the term "in, with and under the forms of consecrated bread and wine" and "sacramental union" to distinguish their understanding of the Holy Communion from those of the Reformed and other traditions.^[7]

[edit] Use of the sacrament

For Lutherans the Eucharist is not considered to be a valid sacrament unless the elements are used according to Christ's mandate and institution (consecration, distribution, and reception).^[7] This was first formulated in the Wittenberg Concord of 1536 in the formula: Nihil habet rationem sacramenti extra usum a Christo institutum ("Nothing has the character of a sacrament apart from the use instituted by Christ").^[15] Some Lutherans oppose the reservation of the consecrated elements, private masses, and the practice of Corpus Christi.^[16][17] The consecrated elements are treated with respect and in some areas are reserved as in Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican practice. Eucharistic adoration is typically practiced only from the consecration and elevation to reception. To remove any scruple of doubt or superstition the reliquæ traditionally are either consumed or poured into the earth. In Lutheran congregations, the administration of private communion of the sick and "shut-in" (those too feeble to attend services) involves a completely separate service of the Holy Commuion for which the sacramental elements are consecrated by the celebrant.

Weddings and funerals also typicaly include the celebration of the Lord's Supper in Lutheran churches. At all ordinations of pastors and the consecration of bishops the Eucharist is offered.

[edit] Reception in American churches

Churches in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) practice open communion, where all baptized Christians can receive the sacrament. Nearly all Missouri Synod Lutheran churches (LCMS) practice closed communion, meaning only those who were confirmed in an LCMS church receive the sacrament.^[18] Some ELCA churches offer the sacrament to all children regardless of age, some wait until after confirmation and others wait until a child can complete and understand a class about the Eucharist at around 7 or 8 years of age.^[19][20]

[edit] Manner of reception

The manner of receiving the Eucharist differs throughout the world. Sometimes there is a cushioned area at the front of the church where the congregation can come to the front to kneel and receive the sacrament (as seen in the picture below). Typically, the pastor distributes the bread and an assistant then distributes the wine. The congregation departs and may make the sign of the cross. In other Lutheran churches, the process is much like the Catholic Church^[21], the pastor, or eucharistic minister and acolyte line up with the pastor in the center, holding the bread, the eucharistic minister on either side, holding the chalice. When a person receives the bread the pastor speaks a formula similar to "The Body of Christ, given for you." When a person receives the wine, the eucharistic minister may say something like: "The Blood of Christ, shed for you." Some parishes use intinction, the dipping of the host into the chalice. Placing the bread in the hand of the communicant is commonly practiced, but some people prefer that the pastor place the host into their mouth.

[edit] Name

In the American Lutheran tradition, the sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood is most commonly referred to as the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Table, Holy Communion, the Breaking of the Bread, the Eucharist, and the Blessed Sacrament.^[1][2]

[edit] Liturgy

Typical Eucharist in a LCMS church

The Lord's Supper is most commonly celebrated as follows:^[22][23]

The Sursum corda is chanted or spoken.

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give him thanks and praise .

Next is the Proper Preface, followed by the Sanctus which is chanted.

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Next the Eucharistic Prayer is said by the pastor. This includes the Words of Institution.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, 'Take; eat; this is my body, given for you. This do in remembrance of me.'

In the same way, also, He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, 'Drink of it all of you. This cup is the New Testament in My Blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'

The pastor takes the host and chalice into his hands at the words concerning each element. Sometimes the the sign of the cross is made over them as well. (consecration).

This is followed by the Lord's Prayer

The Agnus Dei is chanted as follows.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. Amen.

The Distribution is next (see above for different manners), it is mostly followed by the Nunc dimittis:

Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace,

according to your word.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared before the face of all people,

a light to lighten the Gentiles

and the glory of your people Israel.

The post-communion collect[s] are prayed by the pastor.

Finally the benediction is spoken or chanted by the pastor as he blesses the congregation with the Sign of the Cross.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.^{[Numbers 6:24-26]}

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• An Explanation of The Common Service (1908)

v • d • e Lutheran Church Six Chief Parts of Luther's Small Catechism The Ten Commandments · Apostle's Creed · Lord's Prayer · Sacrament of Holy Baptism · Confession · Sacrament of the Altar Chief Articles of Faith in the Augsburg Confession I. God · II. Original Sin · III. The Son of God · IV. Justification By Faith · V. The Office of Preaching · VI. Of The New Obedience · VII. Of The Church · VIII. What the Church Is · IX. Of Baptism · X. Of the Lord's Supper · XI. Of Confession · XII. Of Repentance · XIII. Of the Use of the Sacraments · XIV. Of Ecclesiastical Order · XV. Ecclesiastical Usages · XVI. Of Civil Affairs · XVII. Of Christ's Return to Judgment · XVIII. Of Free Will · XIX. Of the Cause of Sin · XX. Of Good Works · XXI. Of the Worship of the Saints Practices Divine Service · Confirmation · Common table prayer · Sign of The Cross · Matins · Vespers · Easter Vigil · Liturgical Calendar Movements Gnesio-Lutherans · Crypto-Calvinism · Philippists · Sacramentarians · Ubiquitarians · Lutheran Orthodoxy · Pietism · Laestadianism · Old Lutherans · Neo-Lutheranism · High Church Lutheranism · Evangelical Catholicism · Confessional Lutherans Lutheranism portal