Lutheran Wedding

[sculpturegirl]

So... we are having a Lutheran wedding. The wedding ceremony on the LCMS website differs quite a lot from that found in the Lutheran Book of Worship. Is there ONE Lutheran wedding?

We want to offer Holy Communion during the ceremony. What do you all think of that? We are having the wedding in an ELCA church that offers open communion, but I'd like to write something in the program about it being for Christians. I'm not sure, though.

My pentacostal grandfather almost passed out when my parents told him I was now a Lutheran. he he he. I think he thinks that I am a heretic or something. I think he ought to be extatic that I am the only grandchild who even goes to church. LOL

[Tetzel]

We want to offer Holy Communion during the ceremony. What do you all think of that? We are having the wedding in an ELCA church that offers open communion, but I'd like to write something in the program about it being for Christians. I'm not sure, though.
I've seen it done without too much difficulty. In August one of the young men who grew up in my congregation was killed in Iraq. His father is from a large Catholic family and the deceased himself was well known in the community as being a well liked student, eagle scout and generally good citizen. As a result basically the whole town packed into the church. Before communion pastor said "we ask that only those who believe in the true presence of the blood and body of Christ in, with, and under the bread and wine approach the altar" The Jewish family with which I was sitting certainly didn't go up and while a few of the less studious Catholics might have made their way up it must have worked pretty well because communion was over fairly quickly.

If I might ask you, if your are LCMS how does your pastor feel about you taking communion at an ELCA church? Is that allowed?

[Jim47]

My pentacostal grandfather almost passed out when my parents told him I was now a Lutheran. he he he. I think he thinks that I am a heretic or something. I think he ought to be extatic that I am the only grandchild who even goes to church. LOL
Good for you, maybe you can convert him to Lutheran? I have many friends of different beliefs thanks to the internet, but is sometimes had to contend with their beliefs. I thank and Praise God for sending those special messangers to my family and bring us to a Lutheran Church. :clap:

[Zoomer]

I don't think there is one Lutheran wedding. We had something similiar to this...http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=3462, but we had a unity candle that we lit. We did not have Holy Communion since the only people who could have partaken at that time were my parents, my aunt & uncle, great grandmother, grandmother, myself, and the maid of honor. That left about 40 people who could not take communion (including my husband) because they were either a different denomination or were not religious.

[sculpturegirl]

If I might ask you, if your are LCMS how does your pastor feel about you taking communion at an ELCA church? Is that allowed?
I go to an ELCA church, but I am theologically closer to LCMS. I guess I am more in favor or "close" communion, but would like all baptized Christians to take part in our communion. I think that is the ideal of open communion, but ELCA doesn't inquire or let you know that you ought to be baptized before taking part.

[Organist]

My husband and I had a Lutheran wedding - way back when - in an ELCA church, no less. We did not have communion, but we did have lots and lots of Bach by the best church organist in the city. It was awesome. Perhaps that why our marriage has lasted for 30 years. :)

[sculpturegirl]

Mmmm.. Bach... sounds good :)

Bach has always been my favorite, even before I realized I was a Lutheran. LOL