The wine may be white or red. 44d Some communicants suffer from allergic reactions or are recovering from alcoholism. Application Copyright © 1997 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 35 According to the Apology of the Augsburg Confession,(61) Lutheran congregations celebrate the Holy Communion every Sunday and festival. Background 12 The Gospel also is proclaimed in Confession and Absolution (the Office of the Keys) and in the mutual conversation and consolation of the brothers and sisters. Background What is Baptism? (72), Background 2. Yet, with Martin Luther, we wish to make full use of water, when it is possible. 37b Customs vary on the age and circumstances for admission to the Lord’s Supper. 43 The biblical words of institution declare God’s action and invitation. 18 God, whose grace is for all, is the one who acts in Baptism. Their pastor may assure them that the crucified and risen Christ is fully present for them in, with, and under this one element. All humanity, indeed all creation is threatened by sin that erupts in greed, violence, and war. “For baptism . The expression “Only by the grace of God” is used extensively among believers, as well as “Everything is by the grace of God.” What people mean by these expressions can vary widely. “Divine Liturgy” says the celebration is a public action, carried out by a community of people. Even if transferring children have received education appropriate to their age in a former parish, the new congregation’s program of instruction is also to be followed. The Holy Communion is not simply appended to the offices of Morning or Evening Prayer. Application The means of grace are used by God to confirm or ratify a covenant between himself and Christians. 37g When an unbaptized person comes to the table seeking Christ’s presence and is inadvertently communed, neither that person nor the ministers of Communion need be ashamed. 6 Sunday, the day of Christ’s resurrection and of the appearances to the disciples by the crucified and risen Christ, is the primary day on which Christians gather to worship. 26 Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, Baptism, 13. They also may grant pastoral exceptions to those policies in individual cases which honor and serve the interdependence (koinonia) of congregations of this church. 24c Some Christians, however, are received into our congregations from other churches in which they were baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.”(43) There are some whose Baptisms were accompanied by trinitarian examination and confession of faith,(44) and whose Baptisms have occurred within the context of trinitarian life and teaching. The cliché definition of grace is “unconditional love.” It is a true cliché, for it is a good description of the thing. 42b In considering preparation for Holy Communion many people in our congregations have turned for counsel to Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians: “Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. Background ), the English Reformed also included prayer as a means of grace along with the Word and Sacraments (Westminster Larger Catechism 154; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88). A Plea for Our Use of the Means of Grace Paperback – November 19, 2015 by C. A. Houghton (Author) See all 9 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. Sometimes we describe worship as a “gathering around the means of grace.” There is also a basic pattern for worship among Lutherans. 41a “The liturgy is the celebration of all who gather. Application It is important, therefore, that lay persons fulfill appropriate ministries within the service.”(73), Preparation is Recommended [12], The Reformed churches refer to the ordinary means of grace as the Word (preached primarily, but also read) and the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper). (54) The Triune God Creates the Church Some keys to their interpretation are given in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore all baptisms are entered into the permanent records of the congregation and certificates are issued at the time of the administration of the sacrament. 45 Practices of distributing and receiving Holy Communion reflect the unity of the Body of Christ and the dignity and new life of the baptized. Application (3) God establishes the sacraments “to awaken and confirm faith.”(4) God calls the Church to exercise care and fidelity in its use of the means of grace, so that all people may hear and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be gathered into God’s own mission for the life of the world. We do not think it makes much difference if, for purposes of teaching, the enumeration varies, provided what is handed down in Scripture is preserved. Question 1: When the Westminster Divines spoke of prayer as a means of grace, were they speaking of prayer as a means of God’s grace a) when one is prayed for (e.g. According to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, the means of grace can be divided into two broad categories, with individual and communal components: Careful attention to the means of grace is, for Methodists, important in the process of sanctification as one is moved on toward Christian Perfection through the work of the Holy Spirit. 4a This statement grows out of this church’s concern for healthy pastoral action and strong congregational mission. All other usages require prior written permission. (9) Through this Word in these forms, as through the sacraments, God gives faith, forgiveness of sins, and new life. by an appointed minister on behalf of God’s people in worship) … Principle Principle The Spirit of God calls people from every nation, all tribes, peoples, and languages to gather around the Gospel of Jesus Christ.(17). In Lutheranism, the Means of Grace are God's instruments by which all spiritual blessing are bestowed upon sinners. In a theological context, grace is a free and unmerited gift of God. We (in the Western nations) like a cause and effect religion. Salvation is also rooted in the interaction of God with human beings over history. 51 In every celebration of the means of grace, God acts to show forth both the need of the world and the truth of the Gospel. 32a In numerous places in the Gospels, the early Church also recognized the eucharistic significance of other meals during Christ’s ministry and after his resurrection.(57). He uses these to plant faith in our hearts, strengthen and preserve it. 52a “As baptized people, we see our daily life as a place to carry out our vocation, our calling.