In the midst of the celebration of the Passover which was a reminder of how God saved his people from slavery and death at the hands of Egypt, Jesus instituted a new Passover meal that we call Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Sacrament of the Altar. The word Sacrament is Latin and it means a “mystery.” Something we may not understand but believe in. Jesus took bread, broke it and said, “Take and eat, this IS MY BODY.” (He does not say, this represents, this symbolizes, this illustrates my body.) Later he took the cup and said, “All of you drink from this cup for this IS MY BLOOD, shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (Jesus does not say, this represents, symbolizes, or illustrates my body.) In some mysterious way in which we do not understand we become one both physically and spiritually with Jesus Christ. We receive forgiveness, and where there is forgiveness there is salvation and eternal life. We are told to partake of Communion as often as it is offered. Communion is the new Passover meal which frees us from slavery to sin and death.
All who are baptized, repentant, and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and that Christ is truly present in the Sacrament are welcome to commune at Immanuel.