Lutheran doctrine

Hear the Word of the Lord: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the bloo d of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of th e one bread.” (1 Cor. 10:16-17)

Let us pray: Lord God, heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, who comes to us in His body and blood, and for the gift of the congregation in which we hear Your Word proclaimed faithfully and where we receive this life-giving Sacrament. Strengthen us now, Lord, and build up all who gather to give glory and honor and thanks and praise through their worship of You, Abba, Father. In the name of your Son Jesus, we pray. Amen .

I’ve been a Lutheran for as long as I can remember. Baptized in 1947; attended Lutheran grade school through the 8 th grade; confirmed in 1960; a member of Junior Walther League. I went to a public High School, but remained active in church life, playing sports, being an acolyte, singing in the youth choir, learning Lutheran theology, and teaching SS classes.

There was, though, one area of Lutheran doctrine that concerned me for a time: T he Lord’s Supper. That concern escalated when, during the summer of my last year of High School, I had this grand idea to explore other religions by attending other churches to see what they taught and believed. Mom and Dad were supportive, if a bit suspect, and agreed on condition that each Sunday that I would BE in a church and report to them on what I had learned.