The first responsibility of the officiant is that he use Christ's words when consecrating the bread and wine (FC SD VII, 79-82, 112). This is Christ's Supper, not ours, and his words are the heart and core of the Sacrament. The 1983 CTCR report on the Lord's Supper included the following concerning the consecration:

As the celebrant consecrates the elements, he should do so in a reverent manner. To hurry through the verba as though he were watching the clock or to insert some personal idiosyncrasy into the consecration is to detract the people's attention from the sacrament. The congregation's focus is to be on Christ's word and invitation. The I celebrant is a servant to sharpen that focus. (2)

(2) "Theology and Practice of the Lord's Supper," A Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (1985), 15.

Because of the constitutive nature of these words for the celebration of the Sacrament, it is important that these words not be changed for the sake of variety. To do so introduces the possibility of causing offense or a weakening of the faith. And though it goes without saying, it must be said that under no circumstances may these words be omitted.