My trip to a Lutheran Church

[JeffreyLloyd]

Everyday on the way to work I pass Saint Michael's Lutheran Church. It's very big and always has a sign that says "Wednesday Bible Study: All Welcome."

So today, I got to come home from work early and it was right around time for the Bible Study, so I figured what the heck, I'll stop in.

The Church was very nice, as soon as I came in everyone was already seated getting ready for the study, so I found a seat in the back, and began to look at the hymnal.

Then as the two pastos came out they both made a B-line for me. They introduced themsevles and welcomed me to the Church, both very freindly, and said I was welcome back any time.

They asked me if I went to any Church, and I told them the name of my parish, and they said, "Oh that's a Catholic Church, didn't you see our no Catholic's allowed sign when you came in the door."

They were kidding around, and it was a good laugh. They went up to begin the Bible Study, (it was on Gal. 4). The pastor even mentioned the Catholic Church during the service how, at the Easter Vigil, people who are about to be baptized within the Catholic Church put on a white vestament, and the pastor said how neat and what a great symbol that is, since baptism washes way our sins.

It had a red sanctuary light, now in Catholic Churches this means that the Body of Christ present in the Eucharist is in the tabernacle - what does it mean in Lutheran Churches?

Also, it had tons of pictures of the Eucharist on the walls and in the window, what does the Lutheran Church teach happens in communion? The Church also had alter rails, is that used for communion too?

Over all, it was a very nice experience - and I very well may go back next Wednesday!

[Rechtgläubig]

so I found a seat in the back, and began to look at the hymnal.Wow Jeffrey, you are Lutheran and you don't even know it! lol! j/k


It had a red sanctuary light, now in Catholic Churches this means that the Body of Christ present in the Eucharist is in the tabernacle - what does it mean in Lutheran Churches?
Sorry can't help you there. :(

Also, it had tons of pictures of the Eucharist on the walls and in the window, what does the Lutheran Church teach happens in communion?1] Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed (Augsburg Confession, Article X)2] Whether in the Holy Supper the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are truly and essentially present, are distributed with the bread and wine, and received with the mouth by all those who use this Sacrament, whether they be worthy or unworthy, godly or ungodly, believing or unbelieving; by the believing for consolation and life, by the unbelieving for judgment? The Sacramentarians say, No; we say, Yes. (Epitome of the Formula of Concord, Article VII)Like you, we believe that we truely do recieve the precious Body and Blood, the difference is...

54] The Tenth Article has been approved, in which we confess that we believe, that in the Lord's Supper the body and blood of Christ are truly and substantially present, and are truly tendered, with those things which are seen, bread and wine, to those who receive the Sacrament. This belief we constantly defend, as the subject has been carefully examined and considered. For since Paul says, 1 Cor. 10, 16, that the bread is the communion of the Lord's body, etc., it would follow, if the Lord's body were not truly present, that the bread is not a communion of the body, but only of the spirit of Christ. (The Defense of the Augusberg Confession, Article X)We recognize Body, bread, Blood, and wine.
The Church also had alter rails, is that used for communion too? Probably so, but every church is different and not all have them.

Over all, it was a very nice experience - and I very well may go back next Wednesday!Wonderful! You may want to ask them the question about why they use the red light.

Peace! :D

[ByzantineDixie]

It had a red sanctuary light, now in Catholic Churches this means that the Body of Christ present in the Eucharist is in the tabernacle - what does it mean in Lutheran Churches?



We actually discussed this when I was taking my class on Lutheran Worship. The light is a remnant from our origins in the Roman Catholic church. Not all Lutheran churches have them...and unfortunately I do not remember what it is supposed to mean to Lutherans now that we are no longer Roman Catholic! ;)

On a similar note...in a Lutheran church during the service the pastor or laity going to do the readings, etc., will bow before the altar when crossing in front of it. Again, this is a remnant of our RC origins where the bow was made because of the presence of the body of Christ in the form of the host residing in the Tabernacle. The Lutherans do not maintain such a Tabernacle but the bow remains as a form of respect.

Really glad you enjoyed your visit. I love a good bible study!

Peace

Rose

[Phoebe]

We, too, have the tall red candle holder at the front of the church. The light is never extinguished. You must light the new candle before the old can be blown out. (I think we use oil now)
I'll hazard a guess that it means the same in the Lutheran church that it does in the Catholic. Or, it could represent the eternal light of Christ in the world.

We use our Communion rails frequently. We believe that Christ is physically present in the Eucharist.

I'm ELCA.

[ByzantineDixie]

The eternal light of Christ in the world.



Phoebe, I think that's the correct meaning for the light...I vaguely recall that (or maybe that was one of the reasons someone gave when the professor asked us about it! :D )

Ya, we use our communion rail too...although on Wednesday evenings we do what I call "drive thru" style. Walk up, take host, turn, take common or individual cup (your choice), walk back to your seat. No kneeling.

Rose

[Phoebe]

Drive thru. I like that. We do that sometimes when pastor is trying to keep the service length short. I DO NOT like dipping the bread into the chalice. :sick:

[Lexluther]

It had a red sanctuary light, now in Catholic Churches this means that the Body of Christ present in the Eucharist is in the tabernacle - what does it mean in Lutheran Churches?

It was explained to me that the light continues to symbolize that Christ is present- and so is lit in perpetuity, since Christ is always present. I don't really know though, this was just the word of my confirmation teacher, and she was known to improvise if she didn't know the answer to a question.

[Phoebe]

Lux perpetua? Light perpetual?

[JVAC]

It was explained to me that the light continues to symbolize that Christ is present- and so is lit in perpetuity, since Christ is always present.
That is how I always understood it, (the sanctuary lamp), to be a symbol of God's pressence in His church.

I just want to say to you, Jefferey, I also admire the Catholic Church, for the Tabernacle, I think that having a tabernacle for the left over host is a great idea! Remeniscent of the clay jars ;) .

-James