Visitors & Holy Communion
One aspect of the Lord’s Supper is that it is a visible expression of our unity in faith. As the apostle Paul says, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). As a church, we believe it is the responsibility of the pastors and elders of the local church to oversee the purity of the Word and Sacraments. This is why our Church Order says, “Visitors may be admitted [to the Lord’s Table] provided that, as much as possible, the Consistory is assured of their biblical church membership, of their proper profession of faith, and of their godly walk” (art. 45).

If you are not a communicant member of our congregation, we welcome you to this Table if:

1. You have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. You are displeased with yourself and repentant because of your sins.
3. You trust that your sins are forgiven by Jesus Christ alone.
4. You desire more and more to live a godly life.
5. You have made a public profession of faith, are a communicant member, and are not under church discipline of a Protestant church that preaches the gospel that sinners are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, and practices church discipline.

If this does not describe you or if you do not understand this, please abstain. Since we desire to welcome you at the Table to receive Christ and his benefits, I invite you to speak with me after the service to discuss your relationship with Christ and his Church. Having these requirements helps us reasonably to be assured that you are like-minded by belonging to a church with a common confession of the gospel.