the use of the means of grace

The Triune God Acts in the Means of Grace This assists guests to decide whether they wish to accept the Lord’s invitation. 2 God gives the Word and the sacraments to the Church and by the power of the Spirit thereby creates and sustains the Church among us. 48a Occasional Services provides an order for the Distribution of Communion to Those in Special Circumstances. (Philadelphia: Lutheran Church in America, 1969). Application This estrangement from God manifests itself in many ways, including false values and a sense of emptiness. ), the English Reformed also included prayer as a means of grace along with the Word and Sacraments (Westminster Larger Catechism 154; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88). “Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and approach to Baptism….”(30). Principle Application 42a Opportunities for corporate and individual confession and absolution, including the use of the Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness, are especially appropriate. Application 35c Participation in the sacramental meal is by invitation, not demand. 23 In cases of imminent death, a person may be baptized by any Christian. The Holy Communion is Consecrated by the Word of God and Prayer 23a Counsel for such a baptism at the time of imminent death may be found in Occasional Services and should be widely known in the Christian community. 47a The food needed for the sacramental meal is placed on the table before the Great Thanksgiving. In the Sunday service, such prayer is appropriately led by a lay assisting minister. The means of grace offer us such a choice, whereby we can embrace a holy routine that aims at forming us into real disciples of Jesus Christ. God has promised to come Principle 28a These interpretive signs proclaim the gifts that are given by the promise of God in Baptism itself. All of them begin with the dialogue of invitation to thanksgiving and conclude with the Lord’s Prayer. Part 3 19 The Large Catechism, A Brief Exhortation to Confession, 15. Unleavened bread underscores the Passover themes which are present in the biblical accounts of the Last Supper. Others are the young or infant children of active members of the congregation or those children for whom members of the congregation assume sponsorship. Catholics, Orthodox and some Protestants agree that grace is conferred through the sacraments, "the means of grace". 2 a : a temporary exemption. 35 According to the Apology of the Augsburg Confession,(61) Lutheran congregations celebrate the Holy Communion every Sunday and festival. Within this assembly, the Word is read and preached and the sacraments are celebrated. Pastors, after supportive conversation and pastoral discernment, may choose to proceed with the baptism. Holy Communion and the Christian Assembly. (56), Background Application 44 In accordance with the words of institution, this church uses bread and wine in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. 42b In considering preparation for Holy Communion many people in our congregations have turned for counsel to Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians: “Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. You must fight, work, pray, and–if you cannot do more–have heartfelt sympathy…. Ordinarily this beginning will occur only when children can eat and drink, and can start to respond to the gift of Christ in the Supper. They include confession and absolution, the reading of the Scriptures, preaching, the mutual comfort and consolation of the sisters and brothers,(31) daily prayer and the sign of the cross, the remembrance of the catechism, and the profession of the creed. 2. “The Holy Communion” is one name for the Sunday service of Word and Sacrament in which the congregation assembles in God’s presence, hears the word of life, baptizes and remembers Baptism, and celebrates the Holy Supper. Morning and evening prayers and mealtime blessings in the household are also an extension of corporate worship. Like a baby’s first cry, prayer is the beginning of that life of response to grace given, and we never grow out of it. (48) It is used generously in Holy Baptism to symbolize God’s power over sin and death. Christians also gather in their own homes for prayer, Bible reading, and devotions. Baptism is Repeatedly Affirmed Other Signs Proclaim the Meanings of Baptism Although favor and grace have related meanings they remain distinct. Principle The minister of the eucharist is the ambassador who represents the divine initiative and expresses the connection of the local community with other local communities in the universal Church.”(71), Lay Assisting Ministers Serve in Many Roles What is Holy Communion? Baptismal preparation and continuing catechesis include instruction for Holy Communion. Our need to be nourished and sustained in this mission is one principal reason for the frequent celebration of the sacrament. Confession and Absolution Proclaim the Word Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion. 16c There may be occasions when people are uncertain about whether or not they have been baptized. Application The doctrine of God teaches us the surprising theology of the cross and counters “any alleged Trinitarian sanction for sinful inequality or oppression of women in church and society.”(42). They also may grant pastoral exceptions to those policies in individual cases which honor and serve the interdependence (koinonia) of congregations of this church. The Triune God Creates the Church Each gift we have is a grace! 66 “A Report on the Study of Confirmation and First Communion by Lutheran Congregations,” Joint Lutheran Commission on the Theology and Practice of Confirmation. 22 An ordained minister presides at Holy Baptism.(36). 59 Apology of theAugsburgConfession, Article XXIV. Principle [1] They include the entirety of revealed truth, the sacraments and the hierarchical ministry. What is Baptism? 37e In all cases, participation in Holy Communion is accompanied by catechesis appropriate to the age of the communicant. The word proclaimed and the sacraments —both Holy Baptism and Holy Communion — are called the means of grace. Communion Practices Reflect Unity and Dignity 7a The use of ELCA­approved lectionaries serves the unity of the Church, the hearing of the breadth of the Scriptures, and the evangelical meaning of the church year. Background 4b Our congregations receive and administer the means of grace in richly diverse ways. Application Sunday Provides a Day for Assembly Around Word and Sacrament 49b When a wedding or a funeral occurs during a service of Holy Communion, Communion is offered to all baptized persons. In all communion practices congregations strive to avoid both reducing the Lord’s Supper to an act effective by its mere performance without faith and narrowing faith to intellectual understanding of Christ’s presence and gifts. Most of them include the preface and the Sanctus after the dialogue. At the Vigil of Easter, baptisms are placed between the Service of Readings and the proclamation of the Easter texts. Because of Jesus we are, through Baptism, gathered and included in the life of the Triune God. Part 4 Application This Statement Encourages Church Unity Amid Diversity Grace is being loved when you are unlovable…. The Age of First Communion May Vary 49a Admission to the sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized. In certain circumstances, congregations might decide to place small amounts of non-wheat bread or non-alcoholic wine or grape juice on the altar. The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God. The means of grace are ways God works invisibly in disciples, hastening, strengthening; and confirming faith so that God's grace pervades in and through disciples. It is important, therefore, that lay persons fulfill appropriate ministries within the service.”(73), Preparation is Recommended Background The Use of the Means of Grace (1997 ELCA Worship Statement) Preface. Our practice is defined by Christ’s command (“Do this”), Christ’s twin promises of his presence for us and for our need, and the importance of good order in the Church. The use of the means of grace: A statement on the practice of Word and sacrament Unknown Binding – January 1, 1997 by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Author) 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating See all formats and editions He uses this to enter our hearts and live there. The term “Mass” is probably derived from the old dismissal of the participants at the end of the service and the sending away of the bread and the cup to the absent: it invites us into mission. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”(21). The Baptized People Proclaim God’s Word Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Where it is not possible for an extended period of time to provide ordained pastoral leadership, a synodical bishop may authorize a properly trained lay person to preside for a specified period of time and in a given location only. Principle Indeed, all of the baptized require life-long learning, the daily re-appropriation of the wonderful gifts given in Baptism. 36a Each name has come to emphasize certain aspects of the sacrament. Principle Congregational song gathers the whole people to proclaim God’s mercy, to worship God and to pray, in response to the readings of the day and in preparation for the Lord’s Supper. Christians gather for worship on other days of the week, for morning or evening prayer, for services of the Word or devotions, to mark local and national festivals, and for important life occasions such as weddings and funerals. This is done so that the gathered assembly may see the full sign of the food it is to share, and so that we may give thanks and proclaim God’s promise in conjunction with the use of this very bread and wine. 31a Here we receive Christ’s body and blood and God’s gifts of forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation to be received by faith for the strengthening of faith. See also Romans 6. 16a Baptism is a sign and testimony of God’s grace, awakening and creating faith. Principle . 36 A variety of names demonstrate the richness of Holy Communion. 47 The bread and wine of Communion are handled with care and reverence, out of a sense of the value both of what has been set apart by the Word as a bearer of the presence of Christ and of God’s good creation. Individuals are baptized, yet this Baptism forms a community. The Use of the Means of Grace carefully names them as gifts of Jesus Christ, and while they are certainly that, they are also gifts of God the Creator. All aspects of life, home and school, community and nation, daily work and leisure, citizenship and friendship, belong to God. 12 See Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. [14] For Reformed Christians divine grace is the action of God giving and Christians receiving the promise of eternal life united with Christ. 9 The preaching of the Gospel of the crucified and risen Christ is rooted in the readings of the Scriptures in the assemblies for worship. Such sponsors take on a lifelong task to recall the gifts of Baptism in the life of their godchild. God’s means of grace are the Word, prayer, and fellowship. The Christian community may gather for proclamation and the Lord’s Supper at other times as well, as, for example, on other days of the week, and when the services of marriage or of the burial of the dead are placed within the context of the Holy Communion.(10). 33a The Augsburg Confession states: “It is taught among us that the true body and blood of Christ are really present in the Supper of our Lord under the form of bread and wine and are there distributed and received.”(58) The Apology of the Augsburg Confession adds: “We are talking about the presence of the living Christ, knowing that ‘death no longer has dominion over him. The primary role of the sponsors is to guide and accompany the candidates and, so far as possible, their families in the process of instruction and Baptism. Application We believe that “through the Word and the sacraments, as through means, the Holy Spirit is given, and the Holy Spirit produces faith, where and when it pleases God, in those who hear the Gospel.”(7). 1 Jesus Christ is the living and abiding Word of God. Background 37 Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.(65). Application 14b Baptism is for the sake of life in Christ and in the body of Christ, the Church. God’s Word is Preached Application Background We (in the Western nations) like a cause and effect religion. Immersion helps to communicate the dying and rising with Christ. The Word of God Leads Christians to Lived Prayer When a collection is received, it is intended for the support of mission and for the concrete needs of our neighbors who are sick, hurt, and hungry. Application We gather in song and prayer, confessing our need of God. And the means of grace in this sense are always connected with the beginning and the progressive operation of the special grace of God, that is redemptive grace, in the hearts of sinners. Background 49 Believing in the real presence of Christ, this church practices eucharistic hospitality. Application The Holy Communion Takes Place in the Assembly 15b Other passages are also part of the biblical tradition of the origin and meaning of Baptism. 20 Both adults and infants benefit from having baptismal sponsors. 8c There are varieties of ways beyond the assembly in which the public ministry of the Word is exercised. 44 Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus, 21. Nonetheless, in the rare event that more of either element is needed during distribution, it is not necessary to repeat the words of institution.(83). This diversity in practice is well grounded in the Confessions. Baptism is Once for All 26a A variety of modes may be used; for example, both immersion and pouring show forth God’s power in Baptism. 50 Because of the universal nature of the Church, Lutherans may participate in the eucharistic services of other Christian churches. Pouring suggests cleansing from sin. by an appointed minister on behalf of God’s people in worship) … 52b Teaching about vocation and opportunities for witness and service play an important role in the preparation of adults for Baptism and in post-baptismal catechesis for both adults and children. 17a Believers are at the same time sinners and justified. What is the Word of God? b : the prerogative of mercy exercised (as by a chief executive) or granted in the form of equitable relief. 90 The Confirmation Ministry Task Force Report, 5; Together for Ministry: Final Report and Recommendations of the Task Force on the Study of Ministry, 1993, 15-16. 40 Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, Baptism, 17. 18a Since ancient times, the Christian Church has baptized both infants and adults. (49) God can use whatever water we have. 8a One of the ways lay people exercise the public proclamation of the Word is as assisting ministers. Principle (19) Liturgical patterns for corporate and individual confession and forgiveness are given in Lutheran worship books. Principle . The service of Word and Sacrament is also celebrated on other great festivals of the year, according to the common Christian calendar received in our churches. View the First Draft: The Use of the Means of Grace (1995), View the Proposed Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament: The Use of the Means of Grace (November 11, 1996), Your email address will not be published. Ordinarily this presider is the pastor of the congregation where the Baptism is being celebrated. Background The means of grace are not intended to include every means by which God may edify Christians, but are the ordinary channels he has ordained for this purpose and are communicated to Christians supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. 34a Our congregations are encouraged to hold these two parts together, avoiding either a celebration of the Supper without the preceding reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and intercessory prayers or a celebration of the Supper for a few people who remain after the dismissal of the congregation from a Service of the Word. Jesus Christ, who is God’s living bread come down from heaven, has given his flesh to be the life of the world. Principle 50c For Lutheran clergy to be involved as presiding or assisting ministers in the celebration of Holy Communion in other churches, a reciprocal relationship between the denominations involved should prevail. For that matter, the Fathers did not always use the same enumeration.”(1), Background Other symbolic acts also are appropriate such as the clothing with a baptismal garment and the giving of a lighted candle. “The Use of the Means of Grace” serves as a place to bring those bold new directions and thoughtfully consider how they reflect the church’s “care and fidelity in its use of the means of grace, so that all people may hear and believe the A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement. The proclamation of God’s message to us is both Law and Gospel. Since that time a number of congregations have continued to lower the age of communion, especially for school age children. Prayers at such a death may include naming, signing with the cross, anointing for burial, and commendation to God. While Jesus is the eternal Son of God, all who are baptized into him are adopted as beloved children of God. .”(39), Background That person is invited to learn the faith of the Church, be baptized, and thereafter faithfully receive Holy Communion. Principle Principle 27a As congregations are able, they may consider the creation of fonts of ample proportions filled with flowing water, or baptismal pools which could allow immersion. Principle Baptismal celebrations on these occasions keep Baptism integrated into the unfolding of the story of salvation provided by the church year.”(47) The Vigil of Easter is an especially ancient and appropriate time for Baptism, emphasizing the origin of all baptism in Christ’s death and resurrection. 42 Action of the Conference of Bishops, March 8-11, 1991,EvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica. What is the Church? 82 A Statement on Communion Practices, 1989, II.C.3. Part 2 In most churches, this presidency is signified by an ordained minister. The bread may be leavened or unleavened. We profess our faith and pray for the world, sealing our prayers with a sign of peace. Baptism is a Public Sign We do not think it makes much difference if, for purposes of teaching, the enumeration varies, provided what is handed down in Scripture is preserved. The laying on of both hands with the prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a sign of the pouring out of the Spirit of God to empower the people of God for mission. The earthly element is… a fit vehicle of the divine presence and it, too, the common stuff of our daily life, participates in the new creation which has already begun.”(60”). 56 Matthew 26:26-29 and parallels; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24. (87) The Holy Communion is Celebrated Weekly Christ promises to bless us through his means of grace: his Word preached and written, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. on the “Table of Sources of Calls for Ordained Ministers.”. The words of the gospel and the elements of the sacraments are not merely symbols referring to the gospel, they actually bring about the reality of the gospel.[15].

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