Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ 

Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:13-16, 28-32, 35)

Redeemer chose to leave the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LC-MS) and join the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1988 when the new denomination was formed. When Pr. Don Balster was asked why Redeemer needed to make that change he explained that one of the most important reasons was that Redeemer had many members married to Roman Catholic spouses. He was unwilling to excommunicate those people (literally stop serving them communion), as the LC-MS would dictate.  

To this day Redeemer welcomes everyone to Christ’s table.  

Luke’s description of the Emmaus walk mirrors the pattern of Christian worship throughout time.  The disciples gather.  The word is proclaimed and revealed.  Bread is blessed, broken, and shared in a recognizable communion meal. The disciples are sent to share the good news with others. We continue to worship in this way into the present day.  The pattern of our liturgy reveals Christ’s presence to us through both Word and Sacrament.

Martin Luther, our tradition’s founder, thought that it was vitally important that both Word and Sacrament be accessible to believers, even if it meant making changes in the practices of his day.  He translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into the common language of the people. He insisted that worshippers be offered both bread and wine during Holy Communion. These acts were considered so radical in Luther’s time that he was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church of his day. Yet because of Luther’s bold witness, a new Protestant church was born and new people were reached with the message of the Gospel.

Throughout Redeemer’s history we have worshipped faithfully, preaching and teaching God’s Word and sharing in the Sacraments. Over the years we also have changed our practices to make Christ known to new generations. Opening our table to all who believe has been an important part of our witness. When the global pandemic moved worship to screens Redeemer was an early adopter of online facilitated communion, ensuring that even when we could not gather physically all could still experience Christ tangibly.

At Redeemer we say, “Worship is at the heart of all we do.” As we gather, hear the Word proclaimed, share in the Sacraments, and are sent out into the world, we come to see the risen Christ revealed. Our worship practice gives us the vision and strength to do the work God is calling us to do.  

God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise.  Fill us with your spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and truth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen – ELW p. 72