tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post1028871875676813508..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Can it be Christmas without the Christmass?Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-59676735149623132192011-12-25T14:40:18.370-06:002011-12-25T14:40:18.370-06:00I don't understand why the practice of Close C...I don't understand why the practice of Close Communion keeps some LCMS parishes from celebrating the Eucharist on Christmas Eve. Is that really the reason? We practice Close Communion in the Orthodox Church and that doesn't deter us at all from celebrating the Eucharist. If people are offended by our policy of Close Communion, we let them be offended, although I think we try to be nice about it. I've also attended ELS and WELS churches that practice Close Communion, and it doesn't offend me. It's just part of who they are. And they are upfront about it. It seems to me if people are squeamish and apologetic about Close Communion, perhaps they really don't believe in it down deep. Otherwise, why apologize for something that you believe?BrotherBorisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-26003588665594823042011-12-25T11:54:21.004-06:002011-12-25T11:54:21.004-06:00"to prevent someone from taking
Holy Communio..."to prevent someone from taking<br />Holy Communion to their harm is<br />the main purpose of "close communion"<br /><br />We as Christians are not to judge<br />the participants of the LORD'S<br />supper. IF they believe that Christ<br />shed his blood for their sins on<br />the cross and come to receive His<br />forgiveness, then they are welcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-27056785858694616462011-12-24T21:45:48.520-06:002011-12-24T21:45:48.520-06:00Janis,
You raise an excellent point. I treat th...Janis, <br /><br />You raise an excellent point. I treat the folks that desire to join the congregation as individuals. After talking with them and after they determine what their desires are, I invite them to commune after being taught what it is that is happening, what we are receiving, what it is for. Official joining of the congregation often comes later. I try to treat them gracefully. <br /><br />Interesting comment. Merry Christmas.<br /><br />JeremyJeremy Loeschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08089904111110332096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-65545593816355368632011-12-24T12:57:08.622-06:002011-12-24T12:57:08.622-06:00Addendum:
I'm not saying to commune just visi...Addendum:<br /><br />I'm not saying to commune just visitors who claim to understand the Sacrament. I am saying this is for those who desire membership, understand the Sacrament, but may not be completely through all catechetical instruction yet.<br /><br />Please don't rip me to shreds on Christmas Eve?Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-66668097431616471032011-12-24T12:53:29.759-06:002011-12-24T12:53:29.759-06:00As one from the hinterlands of Evangelicalism I kn...As one from the hinterlands of Evangelicalism I know this will "knot some knickers" in the LCMS.<br /><br />Close(d) communion is a good idea. We had close communion in my childhood Baptist church (just no real sacrament). You're supposed to snicker here.<br /><br />To prevent someone taking the sacrament to their harm should be the main purpose of close communion. Secondary to that is the idea that everyone is "on the same page." <br /><br />Now that I am a Lutheran, I do hold to the Book of Concord. However, as visitors with the intent of becoming members we were allowed to participate at the rail. This was a grace to us. We had been instructed and come to understand the truth of the Sacrament of the Table. We understood what we were doing and what was happening. I am not saying we'd never become Missouri Synod Lutherans had we been turned away. <br /><br />I am saying that sometimes it is a good thing to "loosen up" (so long as there is instruction and understanding). With many evangelicals wounded by their fellowships, and many coming to know the real truth of the Lord's Supper, there is healing in careful and judicious relaxing of canons.Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-81202923536764399512011-12-24T11:47:38.924-06:002011-12-24T11:47:38.924-06:00Yes, it can.
"Christmas" is a specifica...Yes, it can.<br /><br />"Christmas" is a specifically English name for the feast; a literal equivalent to "mass" is not in the feast's name in other languages. Therefore, there is no argument for how a feast is to be celebrated per se from how it is called in one language.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I am glad my parish will have Communion at services later, would lay that down as a law for no-one, and wish you and my fellow commenters a Merry Christmas!Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-27596148640245352542011-12-24T11:05:09.423-06:002011-12-24T11:05:09.423-06:00cool idea!cool idea!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-18668519281132979902011-12-24T07:40:46.146-06:002011-12-24T07:40:46.146-06:00I am pleased to report our congregation celebrates...I am pleased to report our congregation celebrates communion at almost every service... to include Thanksgiving eve (which used to be Thanksgiving Day, at this service we actually use bread instead of communion wafers and everyone brings a loaf of bread places it upon a table near the alter and when we leave each family picks up a loaf ((not the one they brought)) and at their Thanksgiving meal says thanks for the family who provided the bread for that meal), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Advent services. Perhaps this is because of having a more mature (elderly) congregationFallhikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00558598370555827002noreply@blogger.com