Who's in Charge of Communion?

Having spent the last three weeks on baptism, we now turn our focus to the altar and Holy Communion.  Though the small catechism’s reflections on Holy Communion are excellent, they are very similar to the reflections on Baptism.  So I’m going to focus on the Large Catechism these next few weeks.

Today, I want to share an excerpt from the Large Catechism about why we receive communion and who is the principal actor in the sacrament:

“[Communion] was not dreamed up or invented by some mere human being but was instituted by Christ … (and) this blessed sacrament (remains) unimpaired and inviolate even if we use and handle it unworthily.  Do you think God cares so much about our faith and conduct that he would permit them to affect his ordinance?” (Large Catechism, 467.4ff)

As we saw in baptism, it  is vitally important for Luther that we understand God as the principal actor in the sacraments.  Commanded by Christ, made effective by Christ – so that no human can take credit for them or destroy their effectiveness.

Next week, we will dig a little more into what Communion is and the benefits we receive from it.  But for today, this is enough to ponder.  Even if the human who presides at communion or serves us communion turns out to be a scoundrel (I’m not making a scandalous confession here, but I am a sinner!), we can trust that God is still able to transform us in this holy meal.  Even if we do something strange like invite people to receive this meal on the radio or while worshiping with us online, God can provide the benefits of the meal.

Chew on that amazing news in the week ahead!

********************** 

Podcast Episode 2 is Live!
If you haven’t seen it or heard it yet, Episode 2 of our podcast is live! Pastor Nate and Pastor Megan discuss various feeding ministries:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1E_SpHzG-4
https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/podcast

Confirmation is October 31 at 10am
Please keep these students in your prayers who are affirming their faith this fall: Jaxson Brown; Payton Church; Hannah Dosdall; Nolan Elbert; KatieRae Fiemeyer; Samuel Hegarty; Isabelle Johnson; Kayla Kircher; Simon Kreklau; Teshome Loer; Preston Miller; Kelanie Oldakowski; Gunnar Olson; Ryann Schmidt; Bailey Sundby; Allison Westrum; Brianna Yglesias

Trunk or Treat October 31
The Congregational Life Committee is hosting a Trunk or Treat event in Immanuel’s parking lot on October 31 from 4-6pm.  Everyone is welcome to come and get some candy, sloppy joes, and enjoy s’mores by the fire.  If you would like to help or have your trunk be part of the fun, talk to Steph Drange.

All Saints Sunday is November 7

Please join us for worship on Sunday November 7 as we celebrate the saints who have gone before us and the newest saints among us.  We will light candles in memory of those who have died in the last year and in honor of those baptized in the last year.  And you will be invited to light a candle in memory of a loved one, too. 

 

Our Worship Schedule Each Week:
Sunday:
**8:30am – worship in person, or online
**9:30am – worship on KWAD (920AM or 101.7FM)
**10am – worship in person
Wednesday (Fellowship Hall)
**5:30pm – Light meal
**6:00pm – Praise Worship
**6:30pm – Education & Service Projects

**7:00pm – Choir

In our Prayers This Week
Josh & Tamara Bratton Family
Will & Christina Bratton Family
Dale Hendrickson

Marilyn Broding and family in the death of her husband Rodney Broding

Military Prayers
Members of Immanuel:
Max Labarre
James Kloss

Friends of Immanuel:
Victor Barbado (Darlene Hennagir’s son-in-law)
Sean Evans (Greg & Alicia Johnson’s nephew)
Joe Holweger (Charles & Gladys Chase’s grandson)
John Kloss (David Kloss’ son)
Erik Naley (Wayne & Carol Aspengren’s nephew)

If you or someone you know would like to be included in our weekly prayers, please email (church@wadenaimmanuel.org) or call (631-2738) the church office.  Or fill out this form: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/prayerrequest Names will stay on our prayer list for 4 weeks.  Military prayers will remain on the list for six months, unless a request to remove comes sooner.

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