First Communion

[SPALATIN]

When did you first start taking communion? Did you take it as a child around 4th or 5th Grade? or was the tradition to wait until after Confirmation. Please tell me if you agreed with your church tradition (no matter what it was) and why.

[RedneckAnglican]

I started taking AFTER confirmation...I took confirmation at the Church that I am joining now...This is yet another problem I had with the Episcopals...we have a 3 (going to be 4 sunday) year old son...at the Episcopal Church if we took him to the alter for a blessing while we took communion (Eucharist) they would give him a piece of the host...I tried to stop them numerous times, but they always give it to him...the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas said that if he was doing Eucharist and he saw a hand out he was going to put something in it...I'm sorry, but if we belive (like we say we do) that this is the REAL PRESENCE of CHRIST then just giving a kid a piece of tough bread just doesn't make sense to me...he needs to understand that it is SO MUCH MORE than funny tasting bread...this is the BODY of CHRIST...anyway...my 2 cents...

[Protoevangel]

Pre.

Well, that's actually a little bit of a misnomer. I am actually an adult convert to the faith, so I never went through the 'confirmation' class. I did, however take Communion before I was a member of the church. It is interesting that our pastor goes way beyond 'Open' Communion, he does not make any distintion between believers and non-believers at all. "All are welcome at the table of the Lord..." is his call. Perhaps he assumes that a non-believer would not even bother taking him up on his offer? A dangerous assumption, I agree.

[Flipper]

My 1st Communion was as a Catholic in the 2nd grade - so pre-confirmation.

As a Lutheran adult convert, I took it before I became a member of the church, but it was after I was able to demonstrate that I agreed with the Lutheran concept of communion.

[PurpleBunny]

When did you first start taking communion? Did you take it as a child around 4th or 5th Grade? or was the tradition to wait until after Confirmation. Please tell me if you agreed with your church tradition (no matter what it was) and why.

I was 12. It was before being confirmed. We started confirmation classes the second or third Monday in September of grade 7. (They've since moved it so the kids start confirmation in grade 6.) We took two years of confirmation classes before being confirmed on or around Pentacost, grade 8. However, the same week we started confirmation on Mondays one Pastor, we also started a special Sunday morning Bible Study with the other Pastor. He took us through an instructional book on communion, what it is, why we do it; basically an in-depth review of the Lutheran belief on communion. We then had an exam and after we all passed it we had our first communion. Instruction in the other tenets of Lutheranism continued in our weekday confirmation class.

My class was the second one to do it this way, the reasoning being that confirmands were more likely to keep attending church after confirmation if it wasn't seen as a 'graduation' as much. It was more of a phased introduction and full membership. I agree with the way my church does it--I believe that of my confirmation class, all four of us are still attending Lutheran churches (the other two girls moved and began attending other local Lutheran churches closer to their homes; the only boy in the class still comes to my church and Chris and I went for lunch with him and his girlfriend yesterday after church). I think that the Pastor has to be careful and assess whether the class is mature enough to take the course and understand, though, especially since they are younger now when they take it.

[KagomeShuko]

I took my first communion in third grade - the first time I took it was tha tMaundy Thursday. We had first communion classes where we were taught a lot of things and not ONLY about communion, but that was the main point.

If a parent asks the pastor to give their younger child communion, the pastor will do that. However, if not asked, the pastor blesses the child. I have no problem with the children that we have in the church getting communion because I know that they understand what it means, as their parents are raising them in a very faithful home and I'm often surprised at what they tell me at their young ages.

I'm glad my church does it this way. I wouldn't have had the understanding of communion if I didn't have that class. It was neat because I came across the book we used for the class the other day while looking through my books in my room.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[SPALATIN]

For me it was Post-communion. I actually feel that it should be individualized because some children understand earlier than others. However, what is the point of Confirmation if you have communion before? It just seems to make the point of that Rite even more insignificant.

[Zoomer]

I received my first Communion the Sunday that we were confirmed.

[KagomeShuko]

I don't see how first communion would make confirmation any less insignificant. There's the full understanding of communion. The classes gave me that. I also learned a few other things about faith and Biblical times and church tradition.

However, in confirmation, I learned what all the parts of the small catechism meant, was asked questions, made me question my faith, and more. . .and even after I was confirmed, I still searched. . .and I finally turned back to "Grace alone."

First communion didn't lessen any importance of confirmation at all.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[ByzantineDixie]

Like Flipper I am a former RCCer and made my First Holy Communion in the first grade. (I still remember the first two questions from the Baltimore Catechism!) I did not commune in the Lutheran church until the day I was received as a member of that specific Congregation.

I completely disagree with what both the RCC and the Lutheran church requires for Communion. The requirements for withholding communion to mid to late childhood are an innovation of the 13th century. As you might expect, with the Great Schism occurring 2 centuries before this innovation, the Eastern church has been unaffected by the novelty and still, to this day, practices infant communion for children in the fellowship.

That being said however, while the theologians hash this all out, I do prefer communing before Confirmation. In our congregation we will commune 6th graders who have had adequate instruction in the catechism and have been assessed for their understanding.

Now...here's the shocker...I honestly don't understand the value in Lutheran confirmation at all, especially when it is separated from First Holy Communion. Confirmation confers no grace. It seems merely like a rite of passage. ...like a bar mitzvah.

In the Catholic Church...there is they laying on of hands and the belief that the Holy Spirit is imparted (I guess as a means of assurance in light of Acts 8:15 - 17??? :scratch: ) Anyway...that seems to at least have a purpose.

I am more than willing to be educated in the value though by some of you cradle Lutherans! ;)

Stirring the pot again...:P

Rose

[KagomeShuko]

Like Flipper I am a former RCCer and made my First Holy Communion in the first grade. (I still remember the first two questions from the Baltimore Catechism!) I did not commune in the Lutheran church until the day I was received as a member of that specific Congregation.

I completely disagree with what both the RCC and the Lutheran church requires for Communion. The requirements for withholding communion to mid to late childhood are an innovation of the 13th century. As you might expect, with the Great Schism occurring 2 centuries before this innovation, the Eastern church has been unaffected by the novelty and still, to this day, practices infant communion for children in the fellowship.

That being said however, while the theologians hash this all out, I do prefer communing before Confirmation. In our congregation we will commune 6th graders who have had adequate instruction in the catechism and have been assessed for their understanding.

Now...here's the shocker...I honestly don't understand the value in Lutheran confirmation at all, especially when it is separated from First Holy Communion. Confirmation confers no grace. It seems merely like a rite of passage. ...like a bar mitzvah.

In the Catholic Church...there is they laying on of hands and the belief that the Holy Spirit is imparted (I guess as a means of assurance in light of Acts 8:15 - 17??? :scratch: ) Anyway...that seems to at least have a purpose.

I am more than willing to be educated in the value though by some of you cradle Lutherans! ;)

Stirring the pot again...:P

Rose
I don't agree with withholding communion UNLESS the parents REALLY want it that way. . .and hopefully they do NOT and are teaching their children what it means. God's grace is limitless. I know from what I typed, it may seem like I'm all in favor of withholding communion, but I'm not.

I'm just glad that my first communion happened that way for me, (and I think 3rd grade is a great time to have these classes - if not even earlier, if not already partaking of communion from being an infant) because I feel it was important that I knew what it meant. . .and my parents weren't teaching me.

As for confirmation, Rose, it doesn't confer grace. That's true. At my confirmation, we did have a laying on of hands, though. In fact, I don't remember a confirmation without one. It is, in a way, a rite of passage, too. Once confirmed, we are officially adult members in the church. Our votes at meetings definitely count (not that they didn't before we were confirmed - but most of us would leave the meeting and not listen to it. . .bad, I know, but we would). It was also just a way to publicly express our faith rather than only by memorizing the creeds. We had to write stuff in our own words.

I'd imagine my faith paper then is probably nothing like it would be now. I don't remember what I wrote. I do know there's a copy of it in the church's filing cabinet. . .LOL

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[KagomeShuko]

Rose,

Oh, also, being it is held at a time in our lives when we tend to question everything, it's a really great time to be studying and questioning faith as well. This can sometimes be when a person decided to stay or leave the church. . .it has happened with a few. . .most stay. . .maybe some of it has to do with still being a minor and their parents. . .but I've seen some that had relatives in other churches, and they decide to go there . .or at least see what it is there. . .some return to do confirmation later. . .

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[Phoebe]

Ours was Post- Communion. In retrospect, I like that idea because it is incentive to be confirmed.
Of course, if it is witheld, that seems to say that we believe in an "age of accountability." (to outsiders , that is)

[ChiRho]

My 1st Communion was as a Catholic in the 2nd grade - so pre-confirmation.

As a Lutheran adult convert, I took it before I became a member of the church, but it was after I was able to demonstrate that I agreed with the Lutheran concept of communion.

Concept? :scratch:

[Flipper]

Concept? :scratch:

What Lutherans consider communion to be, as opposed to what Catholics consider communion to be. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I guess it doesn't mean anything anymore. After what I've been reading in this forum for the last year, especially the last few weeks, I've come to the conclusion that my church calls itself Lutheran, but doesn't follow what all of you think a Lutheran church should follow. I kind of like it and don't want to leave, so I guess that means I'm not Lutheran either.

[SPALATIN]

What Lutherans consider communion to be, as opposed to what Catholics consider communion to be. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I guess it doesn't mean anything anymore. After what I've been reading in this forum for the last year, especially the last few weeks, I've come to the conclusion that my church calls itself Lutheran, but doesn't follow what all of you think a Lutheran church should follow. I kind of like it and don't want to leave, so I guess that means I'm not Lutheran either.

Flipper,

Since I am a Christian first and foremost that is more important than calling myself a Lutheran. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Flipper]

Flipper,

Since I am a Christian first and foremost that is more important than calling myself a Lutheran. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

You all seem to be.

[Concordia]

Pre-confirmation.

[GlowingFirefly]

My church does first communion for third graders. They actually just finished it and recieved their Bibles during the service I think last Sunday. (I was sick so I didn't go sadly. :( )

My church, or at least my Pastor anyway, believes in open communion.

"If you are baptized and believe that Christ is present during the sacriment, you are free to recieve communion." This is what my Pastor usually says to the congreation when he knows that there are guests present during the service. Something along the lines of that.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with doing that. Since we are usually baptised as infants in most Lutheran churches, I guess it makes sense.

Of course I do see like where my two friends would be good examples of how it would be unfair. See, they are Mennonites, and they believe that they are to be baptised when they feel they are ready to be. I don't think one of my Mennonite friends is baptised yet, but she certainly believes in God. So it might seem unfair to her that she wouldn't be able to do communion at my church because she is not baptised, which I think has happened before because she used to visit my church with one of my youth group friends sometimes. So I guess I can see both sides of the situation.

As for myself and when my first communion was, well I became a Christian back in April of 2002, so almost three years ago. (April 25) I started going back to church because I had not been to church since I was three, so I was too young for communion then. I think I started going back in January of 2002.

I didn't take communion until I became a Christian, so I don't think I did it for a few months. I think that's right. My memory is a little fuzzy.

When I did take communion for the first time, I do remember one thing I learned from it: Don't take the wine. My chest felt like it was on fire for the entire time after communion. I felt horrible. So I never took the wine again. I take the grape juice now. :)

I wasn't confirmed when I took communion for the first time either because at that time I was too old for the program. I was confirmed later when I did it individually with my assistant Pastor at the time.

So in short, pre-confirmation. :)

[Phoebe]

What Lutherans consider communion to be, as opposed to what Catholics consider communion to be. Sorry I wasn't clear.

I guess it doesn't mean anything anymore. After what I've been reading in this forum for the last year, especially the last few weeks, I've come to the conclusion that my church calls itself Lutheran, but doesn't follow what all of you think a Lutheran church should follow. I kind of like it and don't want to leave, so I guess that means I'm not Lutheran either.

:hug:
I know where you're coming from. (I'm too stubborn to give in to it)

[filosofer]

I am so old I was there in Exodus 24 when we went up the mountain to commune with God! :D

[VeryTiredGirl]

When did you first start taking communion? Did you take it as a child around 4th or 5th Grade? or was the tradition to wait until after Confirmation. Please tell me if you agreed with your church tradition (no matter what it was) and why.
Other. I took Communion for the first time on Confirmation Sunday, after two years of study. My church now does one year of classes, along with extra homework that I didn't have to do.

I spent three years in a Catholic school from ages 8-10 and watched all my friends go to Communion. Ask them what was happening, and they had no clue; they just knew they were 'eating Jesus'. By delaying receiving the Sacrament until I was older (12, almost 13), I was able to acquire abstract thought and fully understand what Communion was and it's importance.

[VeryTiredGirl]

I was 12. It was before being confirmed. We started confirmation classes the second or third Monday in September of grade 7. (They've since moved it so the kids start confirmation in grade 6.) We took two years of confirmation classes before being confirmed on or around Pentacost, grade 8.

Your church starts kids in Confirmation classes in Grade 6? Wow. I would have been 10 years old if they'd done it that way. I started the fall of Grade 7, and was confirmed the May of Grade 8. They thought I was a bit young as it was, since I wasn't 13 yet on Confirmation day.

[guitarplayer_101]

I personally recieved my first communion when I was in 4th grade. So it was pre-confirmation. I really see no problem with it as it is at my chruch.

B.J.:wave:

[Protoevangel]

I am so old I was there in Exodus 24 when we went up the mountain to commune with God! :DSo, I assume that makes your answer "Pre" by default? ;)

[PurpleBunny]

Your church starts kids in Confirmation classes in Grade 6? Wow. I would have been 10 years old if they'd done it that way. I started the fall of Grade 7, and was confirmed the May of Grade 8. They thought I was a bit young as it was, since I wasn't 13 yet on Confirmation day.

Yup, they just started that this year. I think some parents complained about the stress of starting high school and the extra homework that entails (grade 8) at the same time as tryinig to finish confirmation.

I was fourteen when I was confirmed, but only by a couple of weeks. All of the kids in my class were spring babies so we were all 14 when we were confirmed.

[Rechtgläubig]

As a Lutheran adult convert, I took it before I became a member of the church, but it was after I was able to demonstrate that I agreed with the Lutheran concept of communion.

Sort of the same for me. I was allowed to take it after week 10 of my bible information class, but before official membership.

[SemStudent08]

But then again, I was taking it from my own father (as young as 5). But the thought behind it was that as Communion is an important element in the means of grace children should be allowed to take Communion as soon as they have it explained to them and have a basic understanding of what is going on.

[ByzantineDixie]

Sort of the same for me. I was allowed to take it after week 10 of my bible information class, but before official membership.

WHAT??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

You WELS are so liberal!!! Or does your church have an accelerated student plan? ;)

:P Rose

[BigNorsk]

My first Communion was at the time of Confirmation, after we were done "reading for the Minister".

Does any one other than Norwegian Lutherans call confirmation "reading for the Minister?"

Marv

[Rechtgläubig]

WHAT??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

You WELS are so liberal!!! Or does your church have an accelerated student plan?

Rose

LOL Rose!!! Are you talking about the pre-member thing?

Well...

I was Baptized (infant - RCC)
Was instructed to and was able to examine myself
Knew I was recieving the Lord's Body and Blood
My pastor decided that I was in docturnal agreement with the congregation

I wasn't a total alien to Lutheran doctrine before the bible information classes, my pastor knew this (we had 10 weeks to discuss doctrine for goodness sakes :D ) When a non member shows up at the altar and my pastor distributes Christ's Body and Blood to him/her, I know that my pastor has instructed or interviewed them to learn what they believe because he has and will withhold the Sacrament otherwise.


If not then what's with all the :eek: s?

[revjpw]

When did you first start taking communion? Did you take it as a child around 4th or 5th Grade? or was the tradition to wait until after Confirmation. Please tell me if you agreed with your church tradition (no matter what it was) and why.



I honestly do not know why (at least in the LCMS) churches would give communion to someone who is not yet a communicant member of the congregation. In the Missouri Synod, we hold to the Biblical teaching of closed communion as per Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 11. Those wo partake of the Sacrament in an unworthy manner (unprepared) and who do not recognize the Body and Blood of the Lord are eating and drinking to their judgement and are committing a sin. Communion is also a public statement of confession with everyone else at the table. How can someone make such a statement of doctrinal agreement when they do not yet know what the doctrines even are??:confused: It comes down to defining what constitutes communicant membership.

In my church I have just reintroduced a three year confirmation program. Normally, students will begin when they enter 6th grade and will be confirmed in the spring when they are in 8th grade. I have two students who will start next year in 7th grade, but they will not be confirmed until they are in 9th grade (their parents choice).

Personally, I was raised Roman catholic and had first communion in 4th grade, but I really had no idea what it was all about. According to Scripture, that is a very spiritually dangerous situation.

[ByzantineDixie]

If not then what's with all the :eek: s?

Just messin' with ya! :hug: You know that! -----R

[Rechtgläubig]

Just messin' with ya! :hug: You know that! -----R

I thought so, but I've been up all night and ran out of coffee hours ago... I was just making sure...

:D :hug:

[alabaster jar]

I was confirmed in 8th grade, age 13 and received communion on my Confirmation Sunday. I think it is better to go to the alter with some formal background and instruction. I think the confirmation age typically is like the Jewish coming of age, kind of a parallel thing. But I think you could do it at an earlier age. (with proper classes, etc.) In other words, I think it should be taken seriously and not just acted out, going through the motions, etc.

I agree with those that feel it is more significant to have first communion and first confirmation together. It's kind of like giving your teenager a car, after they've gotten their license--yes, you could give them a car when they are four, but they won't be able to drive it until they are tall enough to reach the pedals. (it's not a perfect analogy, but I tried)

Our church also has closed communion; says that some Lutheran churchs aren't in 'agreement' so only congregants commune.