"but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words, 'given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. As such, many Lutherans receive the sacrament of penance before partaking of the Eucharist. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, practices open communion, offering the Eucharist to adults without receiving catechetical instruction, provided they are baptized and believe in the Real Presence. Some Lutherans practice closed communion, and require catechetical instruction for all people before receiving the Eucharist. Failing to do so is condemned by these Lutherans as the sin of "unionism". These Lutheran denominations restrict communicants to members of their own Synod and those churches and Synods with whom they share "altar and pulpit fellowship", which may mean excluding even other Lutherans from Eucharistic reception. The timing of First Communion also varies. Historically, First Communion was delayed until after an individual had completed catechism classes and been confirmed, but gradually the timing of First Communion shifted so that it was administered before Confirmation rather than after, following the Roman Catholic tradition. In many Lutheran churches, the average age of first communion is somewhere between the ages of seven and ten, though a considerable number of Lutheran churches offer First Communion even earlier. In North America, the time for administering First Communion is usually determined by the parents in consultation with the local pastor, but some Synods may have guidelines which prevent communion before a specific minimum age. Methodist practice The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Church specifies that "Upon entering the church let the communicants bow in prayer and in the spirit of prayer and meditation approach the Blessed Sacrament." Traditionally, before the Lord's Supper is celebrated on a Sunday, Methodist pastors meet with class leaders and their class meetings on the preceding Friday (the traditional day of fasting in Methodism) to "inquire how their souls are prospering; to exhort, reprove, advise, etc., as duty may require, preparatory to their receiving the Lord's Supper." In many Methodist connexions, such as the United Methodist Church, the table is made available to all people, and none are turned away. This practice is referred to as keeping an "Open table". The general invitation is typically made in the ritual, "Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to