We believe that the Lord's Supper is the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, hidden beneath bread and wine. We do not give the Lord's Supper to everyone. We withhold Communion from people for several reasons:

1. The Lord's Supper is Gospel. The Lord requires his Ministers to deliver the Gospel only to the repentant. Those who do not repent of their sins need the Law. As such, pastors should only give the Lord's Supper to those who are repentant.

2. If you receive the Sacrament without discerning the nature and purpose of the Sacrament, you sin against the body and the blood of Christ. According to St. Paul, you might be punished for such a sin (see 1 Corinthians 11:17-34). As such, pastors should only give the Lord's Supper to Christians who believe what our Lord says about this Sacrament.

3. According to Paul, since we partake of the one bread, we are one body (1 Cor. 10:17). Also, we proclaim together one Gospel as we share Holy Communion together (1 Cor. 11:26). As such, the Lord's Supper is a profession of our common Faith and a testimony to our unity. If Christians are not truly united, sharing the same confession, it would be improper for them to commune together.

For these reasons, we ask all visitors to speak to our pastor before the Divine Service. He will only commune those Christians who have been properly taught the Faith and who are members in good standing in a congregation in fellowship with us.