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Even more important than these verses by Paul quoting what he had received directly from the Lord are the following verses in which he demonstrates that what Jesus had told was not a matter of mere symbolism or representation but a matter of substance with respect to which the believers' actions could lead to real, physical consequences, not merely legal imputations of guilt, on their lives:

27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

thank you aruanan. NGZ, I really feel strongly about the Eucharist. Whether Anglican or Lutheran or Catholic or Orthodox or Assyrian etc., the belief and reverence for God is there.

More specifically, this gives you the presence of Christ Himself. Going to church is not just an external sign for oneself but to be part of the community with the High Priest Himself.

By removing the Eucharist from the center of the churches, there is a mistake -- the pulpit is moved to center stage and one has a far-a-way deity. In contrast take an LCMC or WELS Church -- they have this sense that God is with us -- Jesus, Our Lord, God and Savior came to be with us -- this is not the faraway, formless God, but God with us -- Jesus.