What is the Lord’s Supper?
Luther’s Small Catechism explains, “What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself. Where is this written? The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul [the Apostle] write:
‘Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup when He had supped, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink you all of it; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’
”
Do you want to commune?
This gift is also for you, within the boundaries given by God’s Word. Not everyone communes to their spiritual benefit, therefore, the congregations of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod practice closed communion. Before being allowed to commune you are asked to speak with the congregation’s pastor. He’ll ask you why you wish to commune, what communion is, and what it means as a public confession. People who are not yet admitted to altar-fellowship may be asked to take a preparatory class of the church’s teaching.
St. Paul’s Communion Policy (attach PDF called Admission to the Lord’s Supper)
Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper declare and bestow the blessings of the Gospel. God’s Word does what it says. Through His Word attached to these visible means our Lord forgives, incorporates us into Christ (see Romans 6:3f.), regenerates, renews and sustains us in faith unto eternal life. Through the proclamation of the Gospel and through the Gospel united to these God-given signs, we receive all that Jesus Christ accomplished for us sinners.