Grace Notes 2025-04-23

In recent weeks we have discussed the Font and the Pulpit. This week I wish to address the Altar. But before I do, please consider the movement that takes place in our liturgical worship in the Divine Service.

With our placement of the Font in the Narthex, at the entry of the worship area, we enter this space for the worshiping community reminded of our initiation and incorporation into the Body of Christ by way of Baptism. It is usually near the Font that we choose to make use of Confession and Absolution. Then the procession begins.

After the procession has moved before the altar, a reminder of the heavenly altar and the NewJerusalem, and when everyone is situated we continue with the Service of the Word. The focus here is on the Pulpit from which our ears are filled with God’s Word in the reading of Scripture and the preaching of the Gospel.

The next transition is toward the Altar with the Service of the Sacrament. As the altar reminds us of the once for all sacrifice that atones for our sin, we are gifted with the chance to participate in the benefits of that sacrifice. Christ was bodily hung and tortured on the wood of the cross. He shed His blood, spending His life, to wash away our sins. And the benefits of that single sacrifice come to us in the meal our Lord instituted.

Of the consecrated bread Jesus says, “Take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you.” And of the consecrated cup Jesus says, “Drink of it all of you, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” So nourished and fortified we are able to proclaim His life-giving death until He comes again.

The final movement in our worship is departing with our worship (service) out the door and into the community (world) as Christ’s witnesses in our vocations…

Since You Asked

Why do we celebrate Holy Communion nearly every Sunday?

The celebration of the meal we call Holy Communion has consistently been the chief act of Christian worship since the age of the Apostles. The Lutheran Reformation did not break with this tradition of 1,500 years. In fact the Augsburg Confession (our principal statement of faith) declares Holy Communion to be the chief act of worship for Lutherans on Sundays and festivals (Art. 26).  (from “Manual on the Liturgy” companion to the LBW, from Augsburg Pub.)

You might think of Holy Communion as spiritual bread and drink for our journey (pilgrimage), for our Lord’s Body and Blood is true nutrition indeed!