Since from the fall and trespass of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we
have all fallen into sin and are guilty of everlasting death – and
through such sin have grown weak and corrupted in both body and soul,
so that we of ourselves can do no good thing, much less keep the
commandments and will of God – and since according to the Law we are
cursed and ought to be eternally damned, as it is written in the book
of the Law, and though neither we ourselves nor any other creature in
heaven or on earth could help us out of such sorrow and condemnation,
God the Almighty has had mercy upon us.
Out of his inexpressible love, he has sent his own Son, Jesus Christ,
into this world to take our nature upon Him, taking flesh and blood
from the Virgin Mary. On Him were laid our sins and those of the whole
world. He bore them for us as on the gallows of the cross He died, and
on the third day he rose again, having atoned for our sin and that of
our parents, again reconciling us to God the Almighty, so that we are
now justified, made children of God, and will have eternal life and
salvation.
That we may be sure of this and never forget His great, inexpressible
love and kindness, Jesus Christ, as He was about to begin his
sufferings, instituted His Supper, giving to His beloved disciples His
own body to eat and His blood to drink, and said to them – and to all
Christians – that it is His body given for them and His blood shed for
them, for the forgiveness of sins, and that as often as they eat and
drink of it, they should do so for His remembrance and, as St. Paul
says, to proclaim His death until He comes again on the Last Day as
judge of the living and the dead.
Therefore we are to do as he has commanded us, that is, to eat his body
and drink his blood, remembering and giving thanks for His great
kindness in reconciling us to God the heavenly Father, and rescuing us
from sin, death, and eternal damnation. We ought also believe what He
has said. Namely, “This is My body, given for you; This is My blood,
shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins.” When we do as He bids us
and believe, we receive according to His word His true body with the
bread and His true blood with the wine, and with them all His merits
and righteousness: that is, forgiveness of sins, deliverance from
death, the adoption as children, and eternal salvation.
But let only those who hunger and thirst for righteousness go to
this most holy sacrament; that is, those who confess their sins, are
sorry for them, and who have the intention to do better, and as far as
possible live according to God’s will. Therefore, let a man examine
himself, and if he finds such a disposition go to the sacrament boldly,
for he receives it worthily. And though he is weak, yet still
believing, let him go to the sacrament. God will have patience. “A
bruised reed he will not break and a dimly burning wick he will not
quench.” He is pleased with but the beginning of faith. Yet we should
pray as in the Gospel: “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief.”
But whoever is not sorry for his sins and has no intention of bettering
himself, but plans to continue in open sin and lust, let him stay away
from the sacrament, for he receives it to his judgment, as St. Paul
says.
Now then, as we are gathered together to observe the Supper of our Lord
and to receive His body and blood, in order that we may do so worthily,
that our faith may be strengthened, that we might live more according
to God’s will, that we might forgive our enemies and love our neighbors
and do good to all, let us call on God our Father through Jesus Christ
and pray together the holy Our Father.
Our Father is then sung by the Pastor, then he sings the Words of
Institution, then distribution with singing of Agnus, Sanctus, and
Luther’s Communion hymns, then Pastor closes by singing the
Post-Communion Collect and Benediction.