How Can Bread and Wine Do THAT?!!

We started our catechetical journey through Holy Communion last week.  As a reminder, last week’s except from the Large Catechism focused on the importance of confessing that the effectiveness of Holy Communion depends on God’s faithfulness.  Humans preside and participate in the meal.  But finally, it is God’s meal.

Today’s excerpt from the Large Catechism discusses our doubt that bread and wine could possibly become Christ’s body and blood and provide forgiveness and eternal life:

“(We) rant and rave, ‘How can bread wine forgive sins or strengthen faith?’ … (but) we do not claim this of bread and wine – for in itself bread is bread – but of that bread and wine that are Christ’s body and blood and that are accompanied by the Word.  These and no other, we say, are the treasure through which such forgiveness is obtained.  This treasure is conveyed and communicated to us in no other way than through the words “given and shed for you.”  …  Christ’s body cannot be an unfruitful, useless thing that does nothing and helps no one.” (Large Catechism, 469.28ff)

Notice a couple of key things here.  For Luther, the bread and wine of communion must be regarded as Christ’s body and blood, because otherwise, the effectiveness of the meal depends on us.  And because it is Christ’s body and blood, it cannot be ineffective – because Christ is always faithful. 

Next week, we will discuss who is worthy to receive such a gift-filled meal.  In the meantime, try to wrap your mind around these words from Luther today.  And, as always, if you’d like a conversation partner in that work, reach out.

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Giving Blitz – Thanks!!
What a great response to our 10-day giving blitz.  With our generous matching money, our grand total for the blitz was $15,685!  What a wonderful impact our generosity will make for those local, regional, and global projects.  Bravo!!

 

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. 

National Youth Gathering Fundraiser: Winter Survival Kits
The youth attending the National Youth Gathering this summer are selling winter survival kits for $20.  They will available early to mid December and make GREAT Christmas gifts!!  Be on the lookout for kids selling in the coming weeks.  The youth are requesting donations of the following items: chewing gum, hard candy, matches, band-aids, safety pins, granola bars, and sandwich bags.  Kits will also include gloves, hats, blankets, candles, hand warmers, etc.  Financial gifts to the project are also appreciated.  Talk to Jil or Pastor Nate with any questions.

 

Dinner Club November 16

The dinner club will meet Tuesday, November 16 at the Pirate’s Den in Verndale at 5:30.  Join us for a time of fellowship.

 

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
Keith Wood
Jessica Miller
Dale Hendrickson
Jerry Buse (Doug and Ellen Carlstrom’s brother-in-law)

Marilyn Broding and family in the death of her husband Rodney Broding
Karen Erkenbrack and family in the death of Karen’s brother, David Reece

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.