Rationale:

Due to some changes in Trinity's communion procedures, as well as in response to a number of questions regarding communion practice at Trinity, it was deemed helpful to publish a brief description of our communion "etiquette".  This discussion ranges from our practice of close communion to the various practical factors of receiving communion on a weekly basis.

Understanding Communion

The Lord's Supper is offered according to the express desire of our Lord Jesus for His Church.  Martin Luther in his Small Catechism explains communion this way:  "It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink."  In this meal we receive not only bread and wine, but also, by the Word and promise of Jesus, His very body and blood, the same body offered in sacrifice for sinners, the same blood poured out at Calvary to make atonement for the world's sin.

Trinity's Schedule of Communion

Because the Lord's Table is the highlight of the worship for God's people, Trinity offers communion at every Sunday service, with two monthly exceptions.  On the second Sunday (8:00 a.m. service) and on the fourth Sunday (10:45 a.m. service), a different liturgical order (normally Matins) will be followed.  At Monday evening's services, communion is available on the 1st and the 3rd Mondays of the month.

Close Communion

Trinity practices, in accordance with official Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod  (LCMS) policy, close communion.  Our church teaches and believes that the very body and blood of Jesus Christ, "given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins," is present in the Lord's Supper.  Thus it is critical for proper reception of this meal that each communicant (in conformity with Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 11:28) "ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup."  In order to assure that each communicant is instructed in these matters, we prepare our confirmands (youth and adult) through thorough teaching in the Sacrament.  Those who have been so instructed and are in communicant membership with sister LCMS congregations are welcome to attend as our guests.  Members of other Christian churches who teach differently regarding the Sacrament are asked to recognize and respect this difference by abstaining from the Sacrament if worshipping with us.  If there are individual situations that arise, pastoral discretion will be used to determine whether or not our communing a particular person is appropriate.  We encourage anyone with questions in this regard to speak with one of our pastors.

Preparation for Communion

Each member of Trinity undergoes instruction regarding the meaning of the Sacrament of the Altar and how one may participate in a fitting manner.  For our young people, confirmation instruction is offered in 5th and 6th grades.  Following 6th grade instruction, the youth are invited to participate in communion.  Adults are instructed about the Sacrament during the Christian Essentials class, after which they are invited to partake of the Lord's Table.  Non-members are asked to speak with the pastor regarding the possible appropriateness of their communion at Trinity.

Instruction for the Lord's Supper emphasizes especially the need for one to examine oneself regarding the faith, whether we acknowledge our own sin, whether we trust in Jesus Christ's atoning death as the payment for sin, and whether we recognize that this meal conveys to us His very body and blood.  Luther's "Twenty Questions" are a very helpful guide for such self-examination.  We encourage each communicant to use them faithfully.  These questions are found on pages 306-307 in the front part of our hymnal, Lutheran Worship.

Signing in for Communion

Members and visitors are requested, when filling out the attendance pads, to indicate with a checkmark their intention to commune on any given day.  These registrations are used to keep an overall communion attendance in our church database, so your attention to this assist our pastors and elders in ministering to the congregation more effectively.  We would ask that parents supervise children's the pads, so that we are not recording communion attendance for those who are not eligible to commune.

Procedures in Communing

Please follow the directions of the ushers in approaching the communion rail.  Communicants seated in the main nave area will generally approach the communion rail via the center aisle and return down the side aisle on their side.  People seated in the transepts will follow whatever pattern seems to make sense, given the number of people seated there.  Ushers will assist in giving guidance.

Please wait at the communion rail until the elder speaks the welcome.  Then, those who wish to kneel may do so.  Those unable to kneel are welcome to remain standing (or in their wheelchairs) throughout the reception of the sacrament.  Elders will distribute the bread and then offer individual cup trays to each participant.  Those wishing to partake of the wine by means of the individual cup will simply remove the cup from the tray and drink it.  Please continue to hold the individual cup visibly in your hand until the pastor has come by with the chalice.  Those not holding an individual cup will be offered the chalice.  Empty cups are placed into baskets as you leave the communion rail.

Pastors will also speak a blessing to children and other non-communing persons at the communion rail.  Those individuals not communing are asked to take one of the small crosses available in baskets at the openings in the communion rail.  This practice assists the pastors in knowing who is not communing that day.  The crosses are then to be returned to the basket held by the acolyte.

Pastors will give a brief dismissal to each table after all have communed.  Once this dismissal has been given, please rise and return to your seat in the congregation.  This is also a most appropriate time to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the powerful gifts that the Lord offers to us in this meal.