Epiphany Lutheran
Church
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Our Communion Statement
The Lord's Supper, also called Holy Communion, is a gift Christ gives to His Church. In it He offers His true Body and Blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. When received in faith, it gives forgiveness, new life, and salvation (John 6:51-58; Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; First Corinthians 11:23-26). However, anyone who eats and drinks without proper understanding, eats and drinks judgment on himself (First Corinthians 11:27-32). Therefore, out of love we do not give it to just anyone. It's important for our pastor to know that you have a true understanding of the Holy Supper before you commune.
​
Holy Communion is also a statement of our unity in the One True Christian Faith (First Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4). Those who receive the Lord's Supper at Epiphany Lutheran Church are baptized Christians who have been instructed in and publicly confess the Evangelical Lutheran Faith. Since we are not currently in fellowship with any established Lutheran synod, only members of our congregation are ordinarily communed at this altar.
​
If you're not a member and plan to visit us to attend the Divine Service and wish to commune with us, please talk to the pastor before the service. He will also be glad to answer any questions regarding the doctrine of Closed Communion.
1 Corinthians 11
The apostle Paul writes, "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My Blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Body and Blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the Body eats and drinks judgment on himself.