Lutherans believe there are two sacraments given in scripture: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. Both are gifts of God that grant us Christ's forgiveness and nourish our faith in daily life. We administer them at Jesus' command. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said:

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all I have commanded you."

After the Passover Supper and before his crucifixion, Jesus blessed and broke bread, poured wine, and gave them to his disciples, announcing that they were his body and blood. He commanded them:

"Do this in remembrance of me."

Baptism is the sacrament of initiation into the church. As such it marks the beginning of life within the community of faith. Scripture uses the image of adoption for this sacrament. Baptism is adoption into the people of God. It is also the washing away of sin, previous and subsequent to the baptism, and the promise of God's everlasting good will. We baptize infants because we believe Baptism is God's act of acceptance toward us. We receive its blessings in faith and gratitude.

Communion is the sacrament of nurture. As our daily bread feeds our bodies, Holy Communion feeds our spirits. We believe that Jesus is present in the bread and the wine because he says that he is:

"This is my body, given for you: this is my blood, shed for you."

Baptized Christians who believe Jesus is present in the holy meal and there grants them forgiveness are welcome to commune with us. A trusting heart is the main preparation to receive Holy Communion. We commune baptized children who desire the sacrament and have received basic instruction from the pastor. If you have any questions about coming to communion, seek out the pastor before worship and ask him.