We have two worship experiences each Sunday morning, a Traditional Worship Service at 8:00am and a Contemporary Worship Service at 10:30am. Both follow the ancient order of "Gathering, Bible Reading, Sermon, Prayers, Offering, Holy Communion (Lord's Supper) and Sending". Sunday School for children and adults is offered during the School Year at 9:15am. The differences between the two worship services is outlined below:
TRADITIONAL -- In keeping with Church traditions, the main participants in the service wear robes. This is intended to keep our attention focused on the person's role in the worship service and not their attire. The choir wears robes and sits in the Choir Loft at the west end of the Sanctuary (aka Worship Space). The organ accompanies most of our congregational singing. The language used during the service and the music selections reflect the traditional Lutheran worship style found in the red Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) hymnal. Holy Communion is offered weekly for this service.
CONTEMPORARY -- The main participants wear casual dress attire. The choir sings from the front of the Worship Space (aka Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall) and is seated with their family or friends. Most of the accompaniment is from a band with electric guitars & drums, amplified acoustic guitar or electronic keyboard. We also use the organ but less frequently than the 8:00am worship service. The language is more contemporary and participatory as the congregation plays a larger role in the responses. Holy Communion is offered weekly for this service.
HOLY COMMUNION is offered every week and served in one of two ways: at the communion rail and intinction.
Communion Rail: When directed by the usher, come forward to the rail. You may stand or kneel to receive the bread and cup, as is your need or preference. Please extend your hands together and open to receive the bread. If you have a wheat or gluten allergy, please ask for a gluten-free wafer instead. Individual glasses of red wine and white grape juice will follow. Please place your used cup in the basket as it goes by.
Intinction: When directed by the usher, please come forward and receive the bread in the form of a wafer. These wafers are whole wheat. If you have a wheat or gluten allergy, please ask for a gluten-free wafer instead. Proceed to either the chalice (large cup) filled with red wine or white grape juice and dip the wafer into the wine or grape juice then consume both together.
Please Note: If mobility difficulties prevent you from coming forward to receive Holy Communion, it will be brought to you in the main seating area.
Colors -- The decorations and accents of color in the Church change with the Church seasons. Some of the changes are dramatic while others are quite subtle.
Preaching Schedule -- The Bible reading and preaching follows the Revised Common Lectionary. This three year cycle of readings focuses on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke with occasional readings from the Gospel of John. We are currently in the readings from the Gospel of Matthew..
Bible -- If you have a Bible, please bring it to worship. If you do not have a modern translation Bible, ask the usher for a copy you make take home with you.