Eucharist in the Lutheran Church

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 SacramentAn Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism, (LCMS), question 285")Lutheran Eucharist names Retrieved on 2009-08-18) 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 EucharistELCA Eucharist. Retrieved 26 October 2009LCMS Eucharist. Retrieved 26 October 2009WELS Eucharist. Retrieved 26 October 2009 there is also a significant divide between conservative and liberal beliefs.Difference between conservative and liberal Lutheran Eucharistic beliefs
==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),An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism, (LCMS), question 291) so that communicants eat and drink both the elements and the true Body and Blood of Christ himself(cf. Augsburg Confession, Article 10) in the Sacrament of the Eucharist whether they are believers or unbelievers.("manducatio indignorum": "eating of the unworthy")An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism, (LCMS), question 296") The Lutheran doctrine of the Real Presence is also known as "the Sacramental union.Formula of Concord Solid Declaration VII.36-38 (Triglot Concordia, 983, 985 ; Theodore G. Tappert, The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1959), 575-576.Weimar Ausgabe 26, 442; Luther's Works 37, 299-300. This theology was first formally and publicly confessed in the Wittenberg Concord.Formula of Concord Epitiome VII, 7, 15; FC Formula of Concord Solid Declaration VII, 14, 18, 35, 38, 117; Triglot Concordia, 811-813, 977, 979, 983-985, 1013. It has been called "consubstantiation", but most Lutheran theologians reject the use of this term, as it creates confusion with an earlier doctrine of the same name.F.L. Cross, ed., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, second edition, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1974), 340 sub loco. Some Lutherans do believe in consubstantiation.J.T. Mueller, Christian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology, (St. Louis: CPH, 1934), 519; cf. also Erwin L. Lueker, Christian Cyclopedia, (St. Louis: CPH, 1975), under the entry "consubstantiation." Lutherans use the term "in, with and under the forms of consecrated bread and wine" and "sacramental union" to distinguish their understanding of the Eucharist from those of the Reformed and other traditions.
===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). 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").Lutheran Theology Retrieved on 2009-08-19 Some Lutherans oppose the reservation of the consecrated elements, private masses, and the practice of Corpus Christi.Corpus Christi article in Christian CyclopediaFrank Senn: Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical, Fortress Press, 1997. p. 344. ISBN 0800627261 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 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 Eucharist for which the sacramental elements are consecrated by the celebrant.
Weddings and funerals also typically include the celebration of the Eucharist in Lutheran churches. At all ordinations of pastors and the consecration of bishops the Eucharist is offered.
==Reception in American churches==
Churches in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) practice open communion, where all baptized Christians can receive this sacrament. Nearly all Missouri Synod Lutheran churches (LCMS) practice closed communion, meaning only those who were confirmed in an LCMS church receive this sacrament."Close Communion" @ www.lcms.com 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.First Communion ageThis is done in the same manner as the Catholic Church. (see First Communion)
==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 this 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,Catholic Communion process from the Mass 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.
==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.
==Liturgy==
The Eucharist is celebrated as follows (or similar):(Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service I,III)
The Sursum corda is chanted or spoken.
Next, the preface is said by the pastor.
This is followed by the Sanctus.
Next, the Eucharistic Prayer is said.
The Words of Institution are chanted or spoken.
The Gospel text of the Lord's Prayer is spoken by the pastor, followed by the people chanting the final part.
The elements are elevated as the pax and sign of peace are said.
Following this, the Agnus Dei is sung.
The Distribution is next (see above for different manners), it is followed by the nunc dimittis:
The postcommunion is prayed by the pastor.
Finally the Benedicamus Domino and benediction are spoken or chanted by the pastor and congregation with the Sign of the Cross.
 
== References ==
== External links ==
*An Explanation of The Common Service (1908)
Category:Lutheranism
 
Category:Martin Luther
Category:Sacraments