After Lutheran Service Today

[Inishfree]

Attending a United Methodist church, through out childhood. The services were very simular to the Catholic Mass.

I remember. When I was taking instruction to become Catholic. The priest joked with me. Saying, you are simply changing parishes.

 

[hn160]

Sorry I wasn’t clear. My Church actually uses bread and not wafers, broken into bite size pieces. But I do have a feeling someone just nibbled on it and then put it in the pew.

When I lived on the east coast, I was a member of an ELCA congregation, they started to use home baked bread and it was always a mess with crumbs always falling, I told the pastor that we should use communion wafers. I was glad when I went to my LC-MS church that they used communion wafers.

The church I attend practices early first communion. So second graders and above receive. They are taught about it yes, whether they retain it is a completely different matter.

The ELCA church that I went to on the east coast also practiced early communion, but that doesn’t seem to be a LC-MS practice.

 

[JoshuaNY]

hn160:

When I lived on the east coast, I was a member of an ELCA congregation, they started to use home baked bread and it was always a mess with crumbs always falling, I told the pastor that we should use communion wafers. I was glad when I went to my LC-MS church that they used communion wafers.

I believe this is left up to Pastoral discretion in LCMS as well. I know many ELCA churches who use wafers. I understand the problem of crumbs. I have not seen any crumbs on the floor. This is not to say their aren’t any. But the Pastor is very careful, and any crumbs found on the altar are placed into the chalice and consumed at the end. But I think the use of a loaves of bread is to be commended. Just as it is commended to use one cup. This is a meal we are sharing with the congregation. I think the loaf and one cup show more unity then individual wafers. This is just my opinion, it is not to say that we are not truly receiving Jesus Christ in either form.
From LCMS.org.

“Since the Scriptures are silent on the source of the bread, it may be baked from the flour of wheat, rye, barley, or other grains” (16; emphasis added).

hn160:

The ELCA church that I went to on the east coast also practiced early communion, but that doesn’t seem to be a LC-MS practice.

That is not entirely true. It is my understanding that it is up to the congregation
From LCMS website:

In the 1960s the Synod participated in a pan-Lutheran study of confirmation and first Communion. The recommendation of this study was that it would be appropriate to communion children at the end of the fifth grade, prior to Confirmation. In response to this study, both the ommission on Theology and Church Relations and the Board for Parish Education ubmitted recommendations to the 1973 convention of the Synod. These recommendations conflicted with one another, the CTCR recommending
that the Synod retain its traditional practice of communing children after they are confirmed, and the BPS recommending the adoption of the inter-Lutheran study proposal. The Synod itself adopted a resolution in 1973 that basically left up to individual congregations the decision as to what practice they may want to follow. Two studies done subsequently by a Board for Parish Services (now District and Congregational Services) staff member in the late 1980s indicated that less than 20 percent of LCMS
congregations adopted the study proposal and that this percentage remained virtually unchanged for nearly two decades. We have no evidence that an increasing number of congregations have adopted, or
are considering the adoption of, the practice of early Communion in recent years.

Now it does say that only about 20% of the congregations practice early communion, but it is out there.

 

[hn160]

I believe this is left up to Pastoral discretion in LCMS as well. I know many ELCA churches who use wafers. I understand the problem of crumbs. I have not seen any crumbs on the floor. This is not to say their aren’t any. But the Pastor is very careful, and any crumbs found on the altar are placed into the chalice and consumed at the end. But I think the use of a loaves of bread is to be commended. Just as it is commended to use one cup. This is a meal we are sharing with the congregation. I think the loaf and one cup show more unity then individual wafers. This is just my opinion, it is not to say that we are not truly receiving Jesus Christ in either form.
From LCMS.org.

That is not entirely true. It is my understanding that it is up to the congregation
From LCMS website:

Now it does say that only about 20% of the congregations practice early communion, but it is out there.

We went up to the pastor who was in the center aisle to receive the bread and then up to the altar rail to receive the wine. This was done this way because we had a large congregation. People would eat the bread on the run and drop bread crumbs.

The LC-MS churches in our circuit all use wafers and do not have early communion.

This statement of yours " Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. " brings into mind that when we first went to our LC-MS church, we were worried that we would sit in someone favorite pew. As it turns out the pew was used by the pastor’s wife. People seem to sit in the same pews all the time and the pastor when he is in the pulpit can tell who is missing. We still sit in the same pew.

 

[JoshuaNY]

We went up to the pastor who was in the center aisle to receive the bread and then up to the altar rail to receive the wine. This was done this way because we had a large congregation. People would eat the bread on the run and drop bread crumbs.

Got ya. That would have me raising some eyebrows too. I will have to take a look next Sunday. People will be wondering why I am staring at the ground

The LC-MS churches in our circuit all use wafers and do not have early communion.

I grew up in ELCA so it is my only base of comparison. I do understand that first communion at confirmation insures the person communing fully understands what they are receiving. I don’t really have a strong opinion either way. I think the problem comes when the person communion does not know what they are doing. I think a second grader is capable of understanding as long as it is explained well

This statement of yours " Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. " brings into mind that when we first went to our LC-MS church, we were worried that we would sit in someone favorite pew. As it turns out the pew was used by the pastor’s wife. People seem to sit in the same pews all the time and the pastor when he is in the pulpit can tell who is missing. We still sit in the same pew.

People are very Pew-territorial. I think they would mark their territory like a wolf if they could get away with it.
It is tough going to a new Church for the first time. You can only hope that if you are in someones pew they will treat you with a little Christian Charity

 

[twopekinguys]

:clapping: You’ve got guts!

As the Director of RCIA, I really couldn’t sit by and see/hear it happen.

Being a good practicing Catholic, I really couldn’t sit by and see/hear it happen.

I was glad that our pastor stood behind me when they went to complain.

I would do it again, in a heartbeat.

 

[guanophore]

I thought I would share my experience this morning after Service.
I was speaking with the Pastor for a minute. The Youth Director walked up to him with an unconsumed Host and said “I found this in a pew”. So the Pastor thanked her, took it from her and ate it.

You should have seen her face, it was something like this . And she said, “I cant believe you ate it, why didn’t you just throw it in the trash?”

The Pastor simply said. This is the Body of Jesus Christ, just as we do not pour the left over Blood down the drain, we do not throw Him away.
She understood after that, but I was amazed at the lack of the Youth Directors catechisis. This woman is in charge of the Lutheran Education of all of the children(obviously with the help of the Pastors) but it was very eye opening.

I wonder how many other people in the Congregation would have had the same reaction. At least one other since it was left in the Pew.

Just thought I would share my experience. Has anyone else encountered something like this?

Yes, and worse things. Catechesis is abysmal.

 

[MusicMan]

You should have seen her face, it was something like this . And she said, “I cant believe you ate it, why didn’t you just throw it in the trash?”

The Pastor simply said. This is the Body of Jesus Christ, just as we do not pour the left over Blood down the drain, we do not throw Him away.
She understood after that, but I was amazed at the lack of the Youth Directors catechisis. This woman is in charge of the Lutheran Education of all of the children(obviously with the help of the Pastors) but it was very eye opening.

I would bet you a tenner and a Party Seven that you could find similarly poorly educated Youth Directors, DREs, and so forth throughout the whole of Christianity, including the Latin Catholic Church.

 

[Nicea325]

I thought I would share my experience this morning after Service.
I was speaking with the Pastor for a minute. The Youth Director walked up to him with an unconsumed Host and said “I found this in a pew”. So the Pastor thanked her, took it from her and ate it.

You should have seen her face, it was something like this . And she said, “I cant believe you ate it, why didn’t you just throw it in the trash?”

The Pastor simply said. This is the Body of Jesus Christ, just as we do not pour the left over Blood down the drain, we do not throw Him away.
She understood after that, but I was amazed at the lack of the Youth Directors catechisis. This woman is in charge of the Lutheran Education of all of the children(obviously with the help of the Pastors) but it was very eye opening.

I wonder how many other people in the Congregation would have had the same reaction. At least one other since it was left in the Pew.

Just thought I would share my experience. Has anyone else encountered something like this?

I am the Director of Catechetical Ministry at a local parish in So.Cal and I once had a catechist from another parish tell me, whose son was in my class, she was upset I was teaching the class about Hell? :ehh: She said: Since when has the church started to teach about Hell again? Excuse me…again? And this a catechist?

 

[JoshuaNY]

"MusicMan:

I would bet you a tenner and a Party Seven that you could find similarly poorly educated Youth Directors, DREs, and so forth throughout the whole of Christianity, including the Latin Catholic Church.

I am the Director of Catechetical Ministry at a local parish in So.Cal and I once had a catechist from another parish tell me, whose son was in my class, she was upset I was teaching the class about Hell? :ehh: She said: Since when has the church started to teach about Hell again? Excuse me…again? And this a catechist?

I guess you will find people everywhere that do not know what they should. I just can’t wrap my head around it though! That you can profess to be a Lutheran or a Roman Catholic or what have you and not know what you’re supposed to believe. I understand if you don’t know certain things, but the Real Presence is a biggie! And to my recollection Hell has always been there

 

[Nicea325]

I guess you will find people everywhere that do not know what they should. I just can’t wrap my head around it though! That you can profess to be a Lutheran or a Roman Catholic or what have you and not know what you’re supposed to believe. I understand if you don’t know certain things, but the Real Presence is a biggie! And to my recollection Hell has always been there

I hear you out my brother in Christ. I cannot speak for my separated brethren,but you would be shocked the number of Roman Catholics who reject the RP of the Eucharist. uch::dts: As for Hell? I rather not go there.

 

[hn160]

I hear you out my brother in Christ. I cannot speak for my separated brethren,but you would be shocked the number of Roman Catholics who reject the RP of the Eucharist. uch::dts: As for Hell? I rather not go there.

What you say is certainly true, people assume that you are Catholic or Lutheran or whatever because they were born in the faith. After catechism, they assume that they have learned all that they need to learn. At our church, the pastors are periodically offering an eight week course in “What we believe”, it is actually a new member course for those that were not Lutheran, but members are encouraged to take it as a review, I have taken it twice in the five years that we been there. The pastors have a once a month course in various subjects in theology. Tonight, we are having a two hour subject on Eschatology: Study of the End Times ( about fifty have signed up ).
We also have every other week on Saturday Tischreden ( German for Table Talk ), a discussion on the Lutheran Confessions.
People should be encouraged learn about their faith if it is offered or read books on their confessions. Just my thoughts.

 

[Nicea325]

What you say is certainly true, people assume that you are Catholic or Lutheran or whatever because they were born in the faith. After catechism, they assume that they have learned all that they need to learn. At our church, the pastors are periodically offering an eight week course in “What we believe”, it is actually a new member course for those that were not Lutheran, but members are encouraged to take it as a review, I have taken it twice in the five years that we been there. The pastors have a once a month course in various subjects in theology. Tonight, we are having a two hour subject on Eschatology: Study of the End Times ( about fifty have signed up ).
We also have every other week on Saturday Tischreden ( German for Table Talk ), a discussion on the Lutheran Confessions.
People should be encouraged learn about their faith if it is offered or read books on their confessions. Just my thoughts.

I think that is GREAT your pastors offer such courses. Unfortunately, as Roman Catholics many of our parishes simply do not have enough priests or any priest to offer such courses. However, many parishes do have deacons and they do take the time to offer short courses. I am an avid believer regardless, if one RC,Lutheran,Baptist,Methodist,etc everything starts with your pastor/minister.

Peace.

 

[JoshuaNY]

What you say is certainly true, people assume that you are Catholic or Lutheran or whatever because they were born in the faith. After catechism, they assume that they have learned all that they need to learn. At our church, the pastors are periodically offering an eight week course in “What we believe”, it is actually a new member course for those that were not Lutheran, but members are encouraged to take it as a review, I have taken it twice in the five years that we been there. The pastors have a once a month course in various subjects in theology. Tonight, we are having a two hour subject on Eschatology: Study of the End Times ( about fifty have signed up ).
We also have every other week on Saturday Tischreden ( German for Table Talk ), a discussion on the Lutheran Confessions.
People should be encouraged learn about their faith if it is offered or read books on their confessions. Just my thoughts.

My Church offers classes such as these as well. I like the Tischreden, it sounds like a good ongoing discussion of the faith.

In fact this summer they are offering a more in depth class. Not sure if it will be widely accepted, but I plan to attend.

I guess what we can do is try to educated as we see things happening.