Home Communion Ministry

Visiting the sick, homebound, and people in prison, to bring them worship and the blessings of the congregation has, since the earliest days of Jesus's church on earth, been the work of the universal priesthood of the baptized.

The Acts of the Apostles (6:8-11) present these words, in which the apostles appointed Steven and some others to bring the holy supper to the homebound.

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.  Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Our Lutheran tradition continues this lay communion ministry.  It's not that "waiting on tables" is somehow neglecting the Word of God -- certainly not. Instead, bringing our congregation's workship to peoples' homes and hospital bedsides is a joyful and fulfilling work for everyone who participates.  The lay ministers bring worship -- the Word of God and Holy Communion -- from our congregation's service to the people at home.

The Lutheran Book of Worship (the "Green Book" we know and love) has an "Occasional Services" edition, containing rites for situations like "Blessing of a Dwelling" and "Farewell and Godspeed" to departing congregation members. One of those rites is " Distribution of Communion to Those in Special Circumstances."  It explains in some detail how this lay ministry is done. It emphasizes how the communion elements are consecrated by the pastor in worship, and how they, along with the whole worship service, comes to the shut-in person.  (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the Red Book, doesn't yet have an Occasional Services edition, but it is coming out soon.)

This is a wonderful ministry for individuals or families.  Those who participate receive a uniquely strong sense of how the whole church, the whole body of Christ, is bound together in love.  If you'd like to particpate, contact Pastor Ollie and he will take you on a few visits so you can get comfortable with offering communion to people.

The website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers an interesting discussion of this ministry on their website.