If you have ever wondered what is the Lord’s Supper, you are asking about the very heart of Christian worship. Also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, or the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper is the meal Jesus gave His Church on the night before He died. Lutherans confess that in this Sacrament we receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, given with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins. Together with Holy Baptism, it is one of the two Sacraments instituted by Christ and a cornerstone of what we confess on our What We Believe page.
What Is the Lord’s Supper? Luther’s Small Catechism
When Lutherans teach the faith, we turn to Luther’s Small Catechism, which asks simply, “What is the Sacrament of the Altar?”
“It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.”
Luther’s Small Catechism — The Sacrament of the Altar
This teaching is often called the Real Presence. We take Jesus at His word. When He says of the bread, “This is My body,” and of the cup, “This is My blood,” we believe exactly what He says — that His true body and blood are present in, with, and under the bread and wine. We do not claim to explain how this happens; it is a holy mystery. But we will not explain it away, either. The Sacrament is more than a symbol and more than a memory: it is Christ Himself, giving His own self for you.
The Words of Institution
The Lord’s Supper rests entirely on the words Jesus spoke on the night He was betrayed — words Pastor Ramstad preached on at the Maundy Thursday Divine Service, and which the congregation hears at every Communion service.
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
Matthew 26:26–28 (ESV)
St. Paul echoes the same truth: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). What Christ instituted, He still delivers at the altar today.
What Benefit Does the Lord’s Supper Give?
Because Christ attaches His promise to this meal, the Sacrament gives exactly what His words say. The Small Catechism asks, “What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?”
“These words, ‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,’ show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.”
Luther’s Small Catechism — The Sacrament of the Altar
The two little words “for you” are everything. The body given and the blood shed are given and shed for you — for the forgiveness of your sins. Here the Gospel is not only heard with the ears but placed into the mouth. It is, as Lutherans love to say, the medicine of immortality and a foretaste of the feast to come.
Who Receives the Sacrament Worthily?
St. Paul urges, “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28–29). Worthiness is not a matter of being good enough — none of us is. The Small Catechism puts it this way:
“Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: ‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.'”
Luther’s Small Catechism — The Sacrament of the Altar
Communion at Immanuel: A Word for Visitors
Because the Lord’s Supper both gives Christ’s body and blood and confesses our unity in one faith — “because there is one bread, we who are many are one body” (1 Corinthians 10:17) — Immanuel, like the wider Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, practices close communion. This is not a judgment of anyone’s heart; it is a practice of love and care. We commune those who are baptized, instructed, and share our confession of the faith — typically members of Immanuel or of a sister LCMS congregation. If you are visiting, we warmly invite you to speak with Pastor Ramstad before the service. You are always welcome to come forward for a blessing, and we would be glad to talk with you about the faith we share at this table.
The congregation often prepares its heart for this gift by singing one of the church’s beloved Communion hymns:
Soul, adorn yourself with gladness,
“Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness” — Lutheran Service Book 636, stanza 1
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,
Come into the daylight’s splendor,
There with joy your praises render.
Bless the One whose grace unbounded
This amazing banquet founded;
He, though heav’nly, high, and holy,
Deigns to dwell with you most lowly.
Come and See
At the Lord’s Supper, heaven comes down to ordinary bread and wine, and the crucified and risen Jesus gives Himself to sinners for forgiveness, life, and salvation. If you would like to learn more — or to be instructed so that you may commune at Immanuel — we would be honored to help. Explore our What We Believe page, read about Holy Baptism and Lutheran Confirmation, or browse our sermons to hear the Gospel preached week by week.
Questions about Holy Communion, or want to be instructed for the Sacrament? Contact Pastor Ramstad or plan a visit to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. All are welcome to come and hear the Word of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lord’s Supper
Do Lutherans believe the bread and wine really become Christ’s body and blood?
Lutherans confess the Real Presence: the true body and blood of Christ are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine. We do not teach transubstantiation (that the bread and wine cease to be bread and wine), nor do we say the Supper is only a symbol. The bread remains bread and the wine remains wine, and yet Christ’s body and blood are genuinely given and received, just as His words declare.
What does the Lord’s Supper give to those who receive it?
As the Small Catechism teaches, the Sacrament gives “forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation,” because Christ’s words say His body and blood are given and shed “for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Where there is forgiveness, there is also life and salvation. It is the Gospel delivered personally to each communicant.
Why does Immanuel practice close communion?
Receiving the Lord’s Supper together is also a public confession of a shared faith (1 Corinthians 10:17), and Scripture warns against communing “without discerning the body” (1 Corinthians 11:29). Out of love for our guests and faithfulness to God’s Word, we ask that those who commune be baptized, instructed, and one with us in confession — usually members of Immanuel or a sister LCMS congregation. Visitors are warmly encouraged to speak with the pastor first, and all are welcome to come forward for a blessing.
How should I prepare to receive Holy Communion?
Outward preparation such as fasting can be helpful, but the truly worthy guest is the one who trusts Christ’s words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28): repent of your sin, trust Christ’s promise, and desire to amend your life. The Supper is for forgiven sinners who come in faith.
How often does Immanuel celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
Holy Communion is offered regularly in the Divine Service, including the first and third Sundays of each month and on major festivals. You can confirm upcoming Communion services on our Sunday Services page or by viewing past services in our sermons archive.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. Summer worship (June–August): one service at 9:00 a.m. Beginning September, services are at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.