What to Expect
Handicapped and Visitor parking is available.
When you go in the door: You’ll see some chairs and a table, then past the stairs you will see a sideboard with pastries, coffee, and water. Help yourself to these free refreshments before and after the service. You’ll see a door to the children’s nursery room and the restrooms. You’ll notice a tall table and chairs where you can sit to enjoy your refreshments. Or go on into the worship space with your refreshments and have a seat. You get more out of the sermon by sitting closer to the front where you can see the facial expressions of the pastor.
What we wear
Most all of us dress casually. A few might sometimes wear a dress or even a suit to honor God’s presence. Some wear lake clothes and others athletic attire from disc golf. We only care that you come.
If you have children
In the nursery is a changing table and toys and chairs and a couch. A window lets you see the service and a speaker plays the sound of the worship service. We encourage families to sit near the front so that children can see what’s going on up front. We’re family friendly, so noisy children don’t bother us. It won’t disrupt us if you take a child to the nursery or come back during the sermon. We expect it. God’s children of all ages belong and worship together.
Our people
From the time you enter and while you wait for the service to start, church members will approach you with welcoming, friendly chitchat. Church means gathering of God’s people, so we treat you as one of us. The pastor wears a white robe with a stole matching the church seasonal color with the altar paraments. This uniform tells you he’s an ordained pastor standing in the place of Jesus to speak God’s word to you. Communication cards are in the pews for you to ask questions of the pastor, leave comments, and your information. This helps us serve you.
Before the worship service
Pre-service music starts about 10 minutes before the service begins. You can scan the worship folder you were given or grabbed on your own in the entryway. You’ll find the three Bible readings for the day for you to read and meditate on while you enjoy your refreshments. The worship folders front page has the “Day of the church year” plus hymns and other worship elements in the order of the service. These are there with page numbers, so you can follow the music in the hymnal if you’re a music reader. Everything from the hymnal, including liturgy and instructions are on the large presentation screen.
In the worship service
The worship service follows a regular order – called a liturgy. The content is mostly God coming to you through his Word and sacraments (Lord’s Supper and Baptism). It includes a group dialog for confession with absolution of sins, prayers, hymns based on scripture that match the day’s theme. We say together what we believe in a creed (summary of key scriptures). God’s word is read in three Bible texts for the day. Throughout, there are proclamations and responses from scripture. The pastor’s sermon always has God’s word from the Bible. The message shows us our sin and need for forgiveness. Predominant in Lutheran preaching is the narrow Gospel: God grace in forgiveness, Jesus’ death and resurrection, the sure hope of heaven for believers, and God’s providential care. The Lord’s Supper is the high point of the service (observed 2-3 times a month and special days). The average Sunday service is 55-70 minutes. Special midweek services for Advent and Lent are 25-35 minutes.
The Lord’s Supper
The Lutheran Church has very specific beliefs on Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper). To keep the deep unity of the communion of saints that God makes during this rite, participants must be able to say and have the following beliefs about it.
† I am a baptized Christian
† I am sorry for my sins
† I believe that Christ grants me forgiveness, life and salvation in the Sacrament
† I believe that the body and blood of Jesus is actually present in the bread and wine, not merely symbolic
If you share this confession of the LCMS, then you are invited to share with us in the Holy Sacrament. If you have not been instructed in our confession, or are in doubt about the Sacrament, or do not share these same beliefs, then we ask you to speak with our pastor prior to receiving Holy Communion. We still invite you to come forward to the Lord’s Table with your arms across your chest to receive a blessing.
** NOTE: individual cups have wine except center ones -- grape juice
We cherish God’s objective grace affording the benefits of forgiveness, life and salvation in this sacrament.
Baptismal font
The Baptismal font is front and center because it is a very important sacrament. We baptize by sprinkling water on the person and including God’s commanded words. We baptize infants because God said to baptize “all nations” and if they need faith, he supplies that for them, much as he gives faith to every person. Baptisms happen during the divine worship service.
After the service
Take time to chat with other people and enjoy refreshments as you leave. We’d love it if you fill out something on a communication card and hand it to the pastor. He’s glad to contact you and visit if you’re willing, especially if you have questions.
