Washed and Fed · Stop 5
Who is welcome at the table, and what happens when you go up?
Some people worry they aren't good enough to take communion. Jesus ate with people everyone else avoided. Today you'll find out who is welcome at the table, and exactly what happens when you go.
Start this stopFor you
Luther asked: who is worthy to receive this meal? His answer was simple. The one who trusts the words “given and shed for you.” You don't have to be perfect. You come because you need it.
The ELCA welcomes baptized people to the table, and many congregations include young children. Each congregation decides when and how children begin to receive communion. If you aren't baptized yet, you're still welcome at worship. In many churches you can come forward and cross your arms over your chest to ask for a blessing, or stay in your seat.
Here's what happens in many churches. You walk up, or the bread is brought to you. Hold out your hands, one on top of the other. You'll hear, “The body of Christ, given for you.” Say “Amen” and eat it. Then comes the cup. Some churches share one cup, some use small cups, and some let you dip the bread.
Many churches offer gluten-free bread and grape juice. Ask ahead, or tell the person serving you. You can always say no to anything, and you can always ask a question first.
Read it in your Bible
- Mark 2:15–17. Jesus eats at Levi's house with tax collectors and people known as sinners. When religious leaders complain, Jesus says sick people are the ones who need a doctor. He came for sinners.
- John 6:35. Jesus says he is the bread of life. Anyone who comes to him will never be hungry, and anyone who believes in him will never be thirsty.
The Sacrament of the Altar, from Luther's Small Catechism
How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things? It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does them, but the words here written, Given and shed for you for the remission of sins; which words, besides the bodily eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the Sacrament.
Who receives this sacrament worthily? He is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.
Words to know
- Worthy. What Luther said a person is when they trust the words “given for you” You don't earn a seat at this table. Trusting Jesus' words is enough.
- Welcome. What the ELCA says baptized people are at the Lord's table. Jesus ate with people others left out. His table is still like that.
- Blessing. What many churches give at the table to people who aren't baptized yet, often by crossing their arms. No one is sent away empty-handed.
- Amen. What you say after you hear “the body of Christ, given for you” It means yes, it's true. It's your whole answer.
- Grace. God's love given freely, as a gift and not a reward. The whole meal is grace. So is the whole faith.