| BIBLE STUDY | CONFIRMATION | SUNDAY SCHOOL | FIRST COMMUNION | CHILDREN'S SERMON |
First English Evangelical Lutheran Church welcomes all those who have been baptized to the communion table. For children who are too young to appreciate the meaning of this sacrament a special blessing that directly communicates Jesus' love and saving grace is given. Once a child becomes aware of their personal need for Jesus' redeeming sacrifice then they are truly ready for Holy Communion with their fellow Christians. After a brief but important period preparation, the child learns the true saving power and presence of Jesus with the sacramental bread and wine.
A child's first invitation to commune in the real presence of our Savior is a special time for child, his or her family and the congregation. It represents the first commitment the child makes themselves, a moment of personal initiation to join equally with their fellow Christians at Christ's table. This moment should be splendidly celebrated both at the Church and within the family so the child treasures its remembrance all their lives. Like baptism, the reception of Holy Communion brings us into a closer relationship with God and the within the Church. However, unlike baptism, Holy Communion is an on-going sacrament that continually nourishes us into the life giving body of Christ and binds us together as a community. The First Communion should lead immediately to subsequent Communions, to a growing understanding of the Church's liturgy, and to commitment repeatedly renewed within this growing understanding.
First Communion classes are usually taught on Sundays during three weeks of Lent with young people receiving Holy Communion for the first time on the Thursday of Holy Week (“Maundy Thursday”). Interested people should contact Pastor Burggraf by calling 410.235.2356 or by e-mail at burggraf.feelc@verizon.net