The gift of Jesus in Bread & Wine - All are welcome!

All people are welcome to come and receive forgiveness in the bread and wine - it is The Lord's Table and all are welcome! Anyone coming to The Lord’s Table with an open hand will be served Holy Communion.

Why do we encourage children to share in Holy Communion?

The mystery of bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Christ defies all human understanding. It is a mystery that we are invited to believe with child-like faith. Children are an essential part of this family of faith and are equal partakers in God’s free gift of grace. The ELCA's theological document, The Use of the Means of Grace, permits children to commune and invites/encourages congregations to determine the age of welcome.

When is the right time for my child to start taking communion?

We encourage families to go up to communion together, where a child will receive a blessing if they are not yet taking communion. When they begin asking about communion, it is the perfect time to start learning about and sharing in the meal together! This happens at different times for each child, which is why we don't have a specific age of "first communion". We do however take intentional time to learn together about Holy Communion in 5th grade (see below).

Listed below are some initial resources that are helpful for learning about communion. Please reach out to the pastors, deacon, or Grace for a personal conversation and more resources!

Books (available in the children's library or worship center):

A Place For You, Little One

Communion; A Time to Remember

Gathered at the Table: Celebrating Communion

Spark Story Bible, "The Lord's Supper" (page 462)

Videos:

What is Communion?

Explaining to Kids: Communion

Celebration of Holy Communion - Fifth Grade and Parents Stepping Stone

We invite and encourage 5th graders and parent(s), to join us for the Celebration of Communion which builds on prior learning and takes children deeper into the meaning of The Lord’s Supper. Parents and students will gather for learning activities and instruction, experience a re-enactment of the Exodus, and sample Seder Meal – a meal in which Jewish people celebrate Passover (it was during Passover that Jesus began - “instituted” - Communion). Each participant will also design their own Communion cup. This is not a prerequisite for a child to receive communion but offered as an age-appropriate learning opportunity and celebration for children and their families.

We spend a great deal of time working in family units, so the presence of an adult is important. If a parent is unable to attend, we suggest inviting another adult who is significant in the 5th grader’s life: a baptismal sponsor, grandparent or other relative.