Eucharist in Lutheranism

The Eucharist is based on the events of , , , and . Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist: sacramental union in Mikael Agricola Church, Helsinki. 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), so that communicants eat and drink both the elements and the true Body and Blood of Christ himself in the Sacrament of the Eucharist whether they are believers or unbelievers. The Lutheran doctrine of the Real Presence is also known as the sacramental union. This theology was first formally and publicly confessed in the Wittenberg Concord (1536). It has been called "consubstantiation," but Lutheran theologians reject the use of this term "since Lutherans do not believe either in that local conjunction of two bodies, nor in any commingling of bread and of Christ's body, of wine and of his blood." 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. Lutherans affirm that the Eucharist is a sacrifice "in the sense that 1) it is Christ, not the celebrant priest, who offers and is offered as the sacrifice, 2) Christ's sacrifice of atonement is made once and for all with respect to God, and 3) it is sacramentally enacted so that its benefits are distributed to the believers each and every time the Eucharist is celebrated." The Lutheran dogmatician David Hollatz summarizes the teaching of the Church on the Eucharistic Sacrifice: To remove any hint of doubt or superstition, the reliquiæ traditionally are either consumed, poured into the earth, or reserved (see below). In most 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. Lutheran churches typically offer the Eucharist at least weekly, especially on the Lord's Day, though daily Mass is celebrated in some Lutheran churches, as well as at Lutheran convents and monasteries, such as Östanbäck Monastery and Saint Augustine's House. The Augsburg Confession teaches that in Lutheran churches the sacrament of the Eucharist is to be celebrated at least every Lord's Day, with the sacrament of confession being offered beforehand. Weddings and funerals often include the celebration of the Eucharist, but at the ordinations of pastors/priests and the consecration of bishops, the Eucharist is nearly always celebrated. ==Practices==

Eucharistic fast The Small Catechism, with regard to the Eucharistic Fast, states: "Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a fine outward training". Though voluntary, the Eucharistic Fast is kept from midnight until the reception of the Eucharist. Theologically, the "Eucharistic Fast is always in anticipation for the Eucharistic Feast, a reminder of the Last Day when all poverty is abolished, the necessity of fasting has ceased and every prayer answered as all of God's people celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb." Confession and Absolution For Lutherans in general, confession and absolution are considered proper preparation for receiving the sacrament. The Book of Concord, the compendium of Lutheran dogma, teaches: "Among us…the sacrament is available for all who wish to partake of it after they have been examined and absolved." Certain congregations include a General Confession at the start of the Holy Mass. First Communion A growing number of congregations in the ELCA, offer instruction to baptized children generally between the ages of 6–8 and, after a relatively short period of catechetical instruction, the children are admitted to partake of the Eucharist. Most other ELCA congregations offer First Communion instruction to children in the 5th or 6th grade (ages about 10-11). In other Lutheran churches, the person must have received confirmation before receiving the Eucharist. Infants and children who have not received the catechetical instruction (or confirmation) may be brought to the Eucharistic distribution by their parents to be blessed by the pastor. Open Communion and Closed Communion The congregations of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) practice open communion—meaning that Holy Communion is offered to all those who are baptized. Congregations in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) practice closed communion (close is used by some in place of closed), meaning that Lutheran catechetical instruction is required for all people before receiving the Eucharist, though some congregations in these synods simply either ask that one speak to the pastor before the service to confirm their common faith or acknowledge this on their attendance card. ==Eucharistic elements==

in Charleston, South Carolina In the Lutheran Churches that use the Western Rite, unleavened bread is typically used for the celebration of the Eucharist (as in the Jewish Passover); these are called hosts. Hosts are made by a number of Lutheran religious orders, as well as monks and nuns, to support their religious communities. Lutheran seminaries and religious goods stores, such as the Concordia Publishing House, make hosts as well. Hosts often contain a cross, crucifix or IHS Christogram on them. The Eastern Lutheran Churches use leavened bread for the prosphora. The Lutheran Churches use sacramental wine in the Eucharist, and this may be mingled with water in the chalice during the Mass: ==Manner of reception==

The manner of receiving the Eucharist differs throughout the world. In most Lutheran churches, an older Latin Rite custom is maintained in which the communicants kneel on cushions at the altar rail. In Lutheranism, acolytes assist the priest by carrying a paten under the chin of each of the faithful as they receive the Body of Christ. In other Lutheran churches, the process is much like the Post-Vatican II revised rite of the Roman Catholic Church. The priest (pastor) and the eucharistic ministers line up, with the priest in the center holding the hosts and the two eucharistic ministers on either side holding the chalices. The people process to the front in lines and receive the Eucharist standing. Following this, the people make the sign of the cross and return to their places in the congregation. Traditionally only those within the Office of the Holy Ministry distributed the Blessed Sacrament, but it has become common for lay people known as eucharistic ministers to assist in the distribution. The host is traditionally thin unleavened wafer, but leavened wafers or bread may be used. Traditionally, the minister placed the host on the tongue of the communicant, with the communicants not even touching the base of the chalice as they received the Blood of Christ. More recently, it has become common for the laity to receive the host in the hand. Some parishes use intinction, the dipping of the host into the chalice. The wine is commonly administered from a common chalice, but some congregations offer individual cups as well. These may be either prefilled or filled from a pouring chalice during the distribution of the Eucharist. Some ELCA congregations make grape juice available for children and those who are abstaining from alcohol and some will accommodate those with an allergy to wheat, gluten, or grapes. Upon receiving the Body and Blood, it is common for communicants to make the sign of the cross. ==Liturgy==

'' by a Lutheran priest on Christmas Day in Norway (1942) '' at Korso Lutheran Church in Finland The Lutheran worship liturgy is called the "Mass", "Divine Service", "Holy Communion", or "the Eucharist." An example formula for the Lutheran liturgy as found in the Lutheran Service Book of the LCMS is as follows: The "Great Thanksgiving" or Sursum corda is chanted or spoken. Next, the proper preface is chanted or spoken by the pastor. Below is an example: This is followed by the Sanctus, which is sung by the congregation. Next, the first part of the Eucharistic Prayer is spoken by the pastor. The pastor then says the Words of Institution. The pastor may also elevate the elements as well as genuflect. The Eucharistic Prayer continues, along with the Memorial Acclamation. The Lord's Prayer The "Peace" or "pax" Following this, the Agnus Dei is chanted. church The Distribution is next (see above for different manners), it is followed by the nunc dimittis, which is chanted as follows: The postcommunion is prayed by the pastor. Finally the Benedicamus Domino and benediction are spoken or chanted by the pastor and congregation with the optional Sign of the Cross being made at the end. Music Communion is often accompanied by music. Most Lutheran hymnals have a section of communion hymns or hymns appropriate for the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Some of these hymns, such as I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table,), follow a Eucharist theme throughout, whilst others such as Wide Open Stand the Gates are sung in preparation or during distribution of the sanctified elements. Chorale preludes on their themes are traditionally played during communion (sub communione). ==Adoration and the Corpus Christi==

Lutheran congregation, of the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church, in Kansas City, Missouri Lutheran Eucharistic adoration is not commonly practiced, but when it occurs it is done only from the moment of consecration to reception. Many people kneel when they practice this adoration. The consecrated elements are treated with much respect and in many areas are reserved as in Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic practice. The Feast of the Corpus Christi was retained in the main calendar of the Lutheran Church up until about 1600, but continues to be celebrated by some Lutheran congregations. On this feast day the consecrated host is displayed on an altar in a monstrance and, in some churches, the rites of the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and other forms of adoration are celebrated. ==See also==