Holy Communion

Peace With Christ believes what Scripture teaches in regards to Holy Communion, namely that in this holy meal the body and blood of Christ are truly present in, with and under the bread and wine. The bread and wine do not symbolize Christ’s body and blood, nor are they a mere reminder of Him. Through this precious gift of Christ’s true body and blood, we receive the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life.

If you go to Holy Communion in the Lutheran Church, you are confessing the doctrine of the Lutheran Church and are united with one another in The Faith as Scripture teaches in Acts 4:32 and 1 Corinthians 10:16-17. If you are not a member of a confessional Lutheran church and wish to commune, please speak with our Pastor or an Elder prior to the service. If there is not sufficient time beforehand, please wait until you can speak with our Pastor.

For further help in preparing for Holy Communion, please see Luther’s Small Catechism regarding The Sacrament of the Altar as well as Christian Questions with Their Answers (prepared by Dr. Martin Luther for those who intend to go to the Sacrament). You can find the same information on pages 326-327 and 329-330 in the Lutheran Service Book (church hymnal). Prayers prior to and following communion are found inside the front cover of the hymnal.

Holy Baptism

Peace With Christ believes what Scripture teaches in regards to Holy Baptism – to baptize all nations in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Titus 3:5-8 and Romans 6:4).

As summarized and taught in Luther’s Small Catechism, Holy Baptism is “not just water, but the word of God in and with the water [that does these great things], along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water.”

Confessional Lutherans look to their baptism – the words and promises declared by God – for assurance of their salvation (rather than a decision for Christ or good works).

Confession and Absolution

While not specifically a sacrament, at Peace With Christ we confess our sins corporately during the Divine Service. As a result of our confession and summarized in Luther’s Small Catechism, “we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from [our] pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.”  Private confession and absolution may also be arranged with the Pastor.