At my grandparents WELS congregation, a person had to speak personally with the pastor during the week before a service if they wanted to commune. The communion service was a separate service held after the regular Sunday service and after the sanctuary had been emptied. The elder would then stand at the entrance to the sanctuary with a list from the pastor and only those people approved by the pastor could enter the sanctuary for Communion. The reason given for the practice was that Holy Communion was a very serious thing and the pastor had the responsibility to make sure a person's heart and mind were properly prepared to receive the Sacrament and not risk the welfare of their very soul. It also ment that some members went for months/ years without taking Communion. The receiving of the Sacrament is a very serious thing and should not taken carelessly or lightly. On the other hand, it should be given and celebrated by everyone in the assembled congregation without unnecessary barriers.