Preparations are being made for First Holy Communion Sunday to take place at Temple Lutheran Church on April 26th.
At Temple Lutheran, the communion table is open to all believers every time we gather. There is no age requirement. None. Every year, during the season of Easter, a time is set aside for reflection & preparation for children that have already begun participating in communion, or who are ready to begin. In recent years, this reflection and learning has been done on Saturday afternoon followed by recognition during the services of Holy Communion on Sunday.
If you have any questions about Holy Communion or your child's readiness, please feel free to contact Pastor Matt Staniz. You can also review some common questions on our website.
Please RSVP by April 14 if your child(ren) will participate in First Communion Sunday this year.
Showing posts with label Holy Communion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Communion. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Weekly Holy Communion Approved
A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
On October 8th, the Congregation Council approved a resolution that Holy Communion be celebrated weekly at every regularly-scheduled service.
This very significant decision was made with the highest level of care and reverence. In preparation for this decision, we celebrated Holy Communion at every service since May 25, included 10 reflections on Holy Communion over the summer, and opened discussion through bulletin inserts, newsletter articles and two discussion forums. A significant portion of the congregation participated in this process.
As this introduces significant change, we must lovingly consider the impact of this change on the members of this congregation. As we adjust to this change, I invite everyone to approach it as an opportunity to more frequently experience the blessing that we receive in Holy Communion. I also invite everyone to be open to discovering the ways that this change affirms the profound importance of the sacrament in our lives and in our life together. As your pastor, I am glad to be available to anyone during this time of change and discovery.
I also invite everyone to celebrate and affirm the impact of this change on the identity of Temple Lutheran Church as we reach out to our neighbors with the good news of Jesus. We can also celebrate and affirm the impact of this decision on our identity as a congregation within the larger Lutheran tradition.
As this change is implemented, there are two very important ways that all members of this congregation can be involved in affirming the importance of Holy Communion in our life together. Volunteers are needed to join the Communion setup/cleanup team, which requires approximately 20 minutes of time before and after the service that you regularly attend (on weeks that you are scheduled). Worship teams will also begin to meet to discuss how to continue shaping each service in a way that nurtures faith, welcomes newcomers, and is mindful of practical concerns (including length of the services). Please consider how you will be a part of this team effort and contact the church office to volunteer for communion setup/cleanup and a worship planning team.
On October 8th, the Congregation Council approved a resolution that Holy Communion be celebrated weekly at every regularly-scheduled service.
This very significant decision was made with the highest level of care and reverence. In preparation for this decision, we celebrated Holy Communion at every service since May 25, included 10 reflections on Holy Communion over the summer, and opened discussion through bulletin inserts, newsletter articles and two discussion forums. A significant portion of the congregation participated in this process.
As this introduces significant change, we must lovingly consider the impact of this change on the members of this congregation. As we adjust to this change, I invite everyone to approach it as an opportunity to more frequently experience the blessing that we receive in Holy Communion. I also invite everyone to be open to discovering the ways that this change affirms the profound importance of the sacrament in our lives and in our life together. As your pastor, I am glad to be available to anyone during this time of change and discovery.
I also invite everyone to celebrate and affirm the impact of this change on the identity of Temple Lutheran Church as we reach out to our neighbors with the good news of Jesus. We can also celebrate and affirm the impact of this decision on our identity as a congregation within the larger Lutheran tradition.
As this change is implemented, there are two very important ways that all members of this congregation can be involved in affirming the importance of Holy Communion in our life together. Volunteers are needed to join the Communion setup/cleanup team, which requires approximately 20 minutes of time before and after the service that you regularly attend (on weeks that you are scheduled). Worship teams will also begin to meet to discuss how to continue shaping each service in a way that nurtures faith, welcomes newcomers, and is mindful of practical concerns (including length of the services). Please consider how you will be a part of this team effort and contact the church office to volunteer for communion setup/cleanup and a worship planning team.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
THIS SUNDAY - October 5, 2008 - Holy Communion Discussion
Temple Lutheran Church welcomes you this Sunday, September 14, 2008:
World Communion Sunday, SeKUCo Sunday
Sermon Theme: Who Owns the Kingdom?
Contemporary worship at 8:45am
Sunday School at 10:00am
Traditional Service at 11:00am
SPECIAL EVENT: Discussion about Holy Communion in the Cafe Bistraud at 10:00am.
For more info, please visit this previous posting.
World Communion Sunday, SeKUCo Sunday
Sermon Theme: Who Owns the Kingdom?
Contemporary worship at 8:45am
Sunday School at 10:00am
Traditional Service at 11:00am
SPECIAL EVENT: Discussion about Holy Communion in the Cafe Bistraud at 10:00am.
For more info, please visit this previous posting.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
THIS SUNDAY - September 14, 2008 - Holy Communion Discussion
Temple Lutheran Church welcomes you this Sunday, September 14, 2008:
Contemporary worship at 8:45am / Sunday School at 10:00am / Traditional Service at 11:00am
SPECIAL EVENT: Discussion about Holy Communion in the Cafe Bistraud at 10:00am. For more info, please visit this previous posting.
Contemporary worship at 8:45am / Sunday School at 10:00am / Traditional Service at 11:00am
SPECIAL EVENT: Discussion about Holy Communion in the Cafe Bistraud at 10:00am. For more info, please visit this previous posting.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Weekly Communion? - Conversations on September 14 & October 5
On September 14 and October 5 at 10am in the Cafe Bistraud, conversations will be held as we explore together the possibility of celebrating weekly Holy Communion at Temple Lutheran Church. Please take time to participate in one or both of these conversations. As you prayerfully reflect on this important matter, Pastor Matt offers the following thoughts to consider.
FROM THE PASTOR: Weekly Holy Communion?
Over the years, I have been a part of congregations that celebrate Holy Communion weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and only occasionally. What has been most interesting to me is that the congregations and traditions that celebrate the sacrament most frequently and least frequently both do so for the same reason. In both situations, Holy Communion is considered a very special meal—a sacred experience. For some, such events are held less often in hopes of maintaining their high importance. For others, something so very special must be done as often as possible.
I have found that same diversity of approaches among people here at Temple Lutheran Church. Several members have expressed a desire for weekly Holy Communion. Some have wondered why we have Holy Communion so often already. Many have indicated that they are content in our current practice. As we make time for reflection on the role of Holy Communion in our community, I am hopeful that we will affirm both our connection to the larger Lutheran tradition and the many ways that God comes to us in this meal.
What is our Lutheran tradition?
At the origin of Lutheranism in the 16th Century, congregations celebrated Holy Communion every Sunday and festival. Our church body today (ELCA) still holds this same practice as the norm. Members of ELCA congregations are “encouraged to make the sacrament a frequent rather than an occasional part of their lives.”
Our tradition defines “the church” as people gathered around Word & Sacrament. We believe that the Word of God and the sacraments are the means through which God gives us the Holy Spirit.
Our current worship book, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, calls Holy Communion “the principal service of Christian worship” and affirms that “a weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper is the norm.” This is because we believe that the church needs this sacrament. It is around the table of Holy Communion that the our fellowship with each other is established and our mission to serve our neighbor is nourished and sustained.
What will our local tradition be?
For most of our history, Temple Lutheran Church has celebrated Holy Communion less often than the norm of the Lutheran tradition. At no time was this because Holy Communion was considered unimportant or because of disagreement with the Lutheran tradition. Less frequent celebration of Holy Communion was consistent with the practice of other local congregations, including many other Lutheran congregations. In more recent years, many Lutheran congregations have reaffirmed the norm of weekly communion.
Believing that Holy Communion is both a central practice of our Christian faith and a foundation for our hope in God’s promises, I will present the following resolution to our congregation council at their October 2008 meeting: LET IT BE RESOLVED that Holy Communion be celebrated weekly at every regularly-scheduled worship service of Temple Lutheran Church.
Who makes this decision?
Decisions in our church body (ELCA) are made on three levels: churchwide (national), synod, and in congregations. The churchwide leadership along with our synod leadership affirms the importance of weekly Holy Communion and asks us to decide as a congregation. In my role as pastor, I also encourage this congregation to practice weekly communion. As a congregation, we have chosen the members of our congregation council to prayerfully make decisions that shape our ongoing mission. I have full confidence in the ability of our congregation council to faithfully discern where God is leading us and, with God’s help, to make important decisions such as this one.
OWNING THE VISION: You are a Part of this Conversation...
Please take time between now and October 5th to prayerfully share your support, questions or concerns about this matter with the pastor or a member of council. The pastor will host discussions in the Café Bistraud September 14 & October 5 between worship services. Some disagreement is expected and welcome. For the sake of building a strong and healthy community, anonymous comments cannot be considered. The pastor can also be reached at (610) 446-3270 or by email (preferred) at pastor@templelutheran.org.
FROM THE PASTOR: Weekly Holy Communion?
Over the years, I have been a part of congregations that celebrate Holy Communion weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and only occasionally. What has been most interesting to me is that the congregations and traditions that celebrate the sacrament most frequently and least frequently both do so for the same reason. In both situations, Holy Communion is considered a very special meal—a sacred experience. For some, such events are held less often in hopes of maintaining their high importance. For others, something so very special must be done as often as possible.
I have found that same diversity of approaches among people here at Temple Lutheran Church. Several members have expressed a desire for weekly Holy Communion. Some have wondered why we have Holy Communion so often already. Many have indicated that they are content in our current practice. As we make time for reflection on the role of Holy Communion in our community, I am hopeful that we will affirm both our connection to the larger Lutheran tradition and the many ways that God comes to us in this meal.
What is our Lutheran tradition?
At the origin of Lutheranism in the 16th Century, congregations celebrated Holy Communion every Sunday and festival. Our church body today (ELCA) still holds this same practice as the norm. Members of ELCA congregations are “encouraged to make the sacrament a frequent rather than an occasional part of their lives.”
Our tradition defines “the church” as people gathered around Word & Sacrament. We believe that the Word of God and the sacraments are the means through which God gives us the Holy Spirit.
Our current worship book, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, calls Holy Communion “the principal service of Christian worship” and affirms that “a weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper is the norm.” This is because we believe that the church needs this sacrament. It is around the table of Holy Communion that the our fellowship with each other is established and our mission to serve our neighbor is nourished and sustained.
What will our local tradition be?
For most of our history, Temple Lutheran Church has celebrated Holy Communion less often than the norm of the Lutheran tradition. At no time was this because Holy Communion was considered unimportant or because of disagreement with the Lutheran tradition. Less frequent celebration of Holy Communion was consistent with the practice of other local congregations, including many other Lutheran congregations. In more recent years, many Lutheran congregations have reaffirmed the norm of weekly communion.
Believing that Holy Communion is both a central practice of our Christian faith and a foundation for our hope in God’s promises, I will present the following resolution to our congregation council at their October 2008 meeting: LET IT BE RESOLVED that Holy Communion be celebrated weekly at every regularly-scheduled worship service of Temple Lutheran Church.
Who makes this decision?
Decisions in our church body (ELCA) are made on three levels: churchwide (national), synod, and in congregations. The churchwide leadership along with our synod leadership affirms the importance of weekly Holy Communion and asks us to decide as a congregation. In my role as pastor, I also encourage this congregation to practice weekly communion. As a congregation, we have chosen the members of our congregation council to prayerfully make decisions that shape our ongoing mission. I have full confidence in the ability of our congregation council to faithfully discern where God is leading us and, with God’s help, to make important decisions such as this one.
OWNING THE VISION: You are a Part of this Conversation...
Please take time between now and October 5th to prayerfully share your support, questions or concerns about this matter with the pastor or a member of council. The pastor will host discussions in the Café Bistraud September 14 & October 5 between worship services. Some disagreement is expected and welcome. For the sake of building a strong and healthy community, anonymous comments cannot be considered. The pastor can also be reached at (610) 446-3270 or by email (preferred) at pastor@templelutheran.org.
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