Holy Communion is served at all worship services.
What we believe about Holy Communion
At Zion, we observe an “open table,” which means that all are welcomed—and we invite YOU—to participate in Holy Communion. This idea of an open table isn’t something we came up with on our own. (Lots of congregations practice an open table.) Zion’s practice finds its source in the way we read the Jesus story, namely, that throughout Jesus’ ministry, we see him offering grace to all who sought it, even and especially to those that the most religious of Jesus’ day classified as “sinners,” “unclean,” even “irredeemable.”
In Jesus’ stories, we often see him offering grace without any declaration of faith or baptism. In the narrative that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke provide about Jesus’ Last Supper, we even find those who, either knowingly or not, will participate in his arrest and death. We find Peter—who would deny his Lord three times—at Jesus’ table. It is possible that Judas—the one who would betray Jesus—was at that table. So it is here at Zion we understand our altar—the table where it all happens during worship—to be at Jesus’ table. He is the host of that meal. He is the gift of that meal. You are welcome to receive Holy Communion with us.
If you have questions about Holy Communion, please get in touch with one of the pastors. Also, they will be happy to help you if you need further information or clarification.
Holy Communion and Holy Baptism
Some congregations practice an open table. However, they still consider Holy Baptism a threshold for participating in the Lord’s Supper. We understand that sometimes, maybe even often, life does not progress in a nice, clean, linear order. There are lots of reasons why or how one might not be baptized. Of course, especially if you seek assurances of God’s promised love and grace in Holy Communion and are not baptized, we would invite and encourage you to consider receiving God’s promises to YOU in and through Holy Baptism, as well.
If you have further questions about Holy Baptism, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the pastors.