As a Lutheran congregation, we celebrate two sacraments: Holy Communion and Holy Baptism. Both are gifts of God, physical signs of God’s grace and love. At Holy Spirit Lutheran, we celebrate communion on a weekly basis. We welcome all the baptized to this meal of grace.
Lutherans teach that Holy Communion is the very presence of Jesus, “in, with and under” the bread and wine. Communion is not simply a symbol, or a memory of a meal which happened long ago. We trust that God is truly present among us and for us in this meal. Ordinary bread and wine become extraordinary signs of God’s life and mercy, given for the world. At the communion table, we celebrate God’s gifts and our connection to one another as the body of Christ.
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church welcomes all baptized people to the meal, including young children. We usually commune by “intinction,” meaning that you receive the bread and dip it into a cup of wine or juice.
HSLC welcomes and encourages young children to receive communion. We offer an annual class for early elementary-aged children to learn more about the meaning of this meal and its importance in their lives; parents sometimes wait until after their child has completed this class to begin receiving communion, but children are welcome anytime.
From birth on, children are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing while others receive communion. They will often begin asking questions: “Why can’t I have that bread?” “How is that bread Jesus?” Asking questions may be a sign of readiness to receive the sacrament. They are beginning to understand that this meal is a sign of God’s presence and a connection to the community.
We encourage parents to watch for information on the Communion Connections Class each year. This is an opportunity for children (and parents!) to grow in faith as they learn more about Holy Communion. Welcoming children to communion is a strong witness to our proclamation of God’s grace: none of us earns this meal. It is sheer gift and grace.