Are there any LCMS here?

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We have a baptism in the family here in about a month that is at an LCMS church. My wife and I have never been to an LCMS church (I’m pretty sure most of her family hasn’t been to any Lutheran church).

Question being; I understand that LCMS has closed communion. Do they practice blessings in the communion line or not? I come from the background of “when in doubt, sit it out” but was wondering what their practice is.

Is there anything else I (we) could expect that’s out of the ordinary (I kind of doubt it)?

TIA
 
“When in doubt, sit it out” is an excellent practice to follow on this occasion. The LCMS does in fact practice closed ( or " close") Communion. Unless one agrees fully with the doctrines professed by the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, one may not partake of the Sacrament.
 
Thanks, that’s what I thought. Does LCMS have the practice of “blessings at communion”, or is it strictly those who are partaking go up and those who are not stay seated?
 
Thanks, I’ll read up a little more when I can get off my phone. With that said, I guess that would be a no on the blessings then…
 
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I was an LCMS Lutheran for many years. You should ask the Pastor. Generally the more conservative LCMS churches limit communion to those who have been confirmed within the church. But not always - LCMS has some diversity in their practices.
 
I was born and raised an LMCS member until coming into full communion with the Catholic Church at age 56.

Blessings are not offered at communion, probably because unlike in many of our Catholic Churches, communion is only received kneeling at the altar rail by mouth and not hand…

Although admittedly that may have changed, just as our Church has, but the old upper middle west German LCMS congregations were never as liberal as other synods or the Catholic Church.
 
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Thanks…and interesting. Good to know.

So those not participating just stay in the pews.
 
Best rule of thumb, is to speak to the pastor before service. If you can’t, then I would recommend just not going up to the altar. That way you don’t place the pastor in the awkward position of having to guess if you belong at the communion rail or not. I do the same when I attend mass so that I don’t disrespect the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist.
 
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I can’t go up for a blessing for communion. You can’t participate actively.
 
Are you saying that LCMS don’t have the practice of blessings so I cannot actively participate, or are you saying that Catholics can’t actively participate?

I’m not Catholic, so I plan to participate as actively as possible…the root of my question about LCMS practices.
 
Oh. I’m confused. I didn’t know you weren’t catholic.
 
semper_catholicus said:
I can’t go up for a blessing for communion. You can’t participate actively.
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There are two sets of rules to follow when visiting a church outside your own communion : that of your own communion, and that of the church you are visiting.

If one is visiting an LCMS parish, ask the pastor or one of the elders for guidance.
 
MikeFr said:
I was an LCMS Lutheran for many years. You should ask the Pastor. Generally the more conservative LCMS churches limit communion to those who have been confirmed within the church. But not always - LCMS has some diversity in their practices.
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This is the reason why it is called “close “ and not “closed “ communion. When we moved here, the only nearby Lutheran parish was LCMS ( we were ELCA). A brief chat with the pastor and he allowed us to commune.
 
My dad makes an announcement before service that communion is for confirmed memebers of LCMS and LCC or the association of American lutheran churches. He will give a blessing to children of confirmed members as well.
 
We have our own factions on that. My mother who is an LCMS school principal wants my dad to implement a modern service to the 2 traditional services. He won’t because the rest of the congregation does not want it. I also see it were I live the groups that grew up in the Midwest German LCMS churches are full. the modern LCMS service churches can barely keep the lights on.
 
The LCMS Lutheran congregation I belonged to had a statement in the bulletin concerning communion and explained that visitors would need to speak with the pastor before the service regarding reception of the Eucharist. But all were welcome to come to the altar rail and receive a blessing, which you indicated by crossing your arms over your chest.
 
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