|
Our Sunday Worship Services are as follows:
View our Worship Schedule for our weekly worship themes and to download study guides. More detailed descriptions of each service are below: |
Why Worship.
Worship is at the center of our mission as we seek to raise up disciples of Jesus. As we gather for worship, we are mindful of the presence of the one triune God in our midst. We gather to praise God, to pray for one another and for the sake of the world, and to hear the Word of God which continues to shape us. We expect to see members of First Lutheran Church regularly in worship, and we warmly welcome all who are seeking a word of hope from our Lord Jesus to worship as well! With the gifts of the Holy Spirit, in worship we find peace, know joy, are challenged and equipped to serve as disciples of Jesus in the world.
When we Worship.
We gather on Sunday mornings, which is the chief festival time for Christians as we celebrate the Day of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. But, of course, every day “is a day that the Lord has made” (Psalm 118:24) and we are called to “rejoice and be glad in it!” Sometimes we gather for worship on other evenings of the week in order to strengthen our lives of discipleship.
How we Worship.
In our new Family Worship Center, we project worship notes up on the walls on either side of the chancel. At our 11:00 a.m. worship, we take a step toward more intentional care of the creation God has entrusted to us by reducing our reliance on paper. We’ve also learned that this paperless form of worship frees people to look up and experience the movement of worship more fully. The ushers have some paper copies of the powerpoint slides available for worshipers for whom viewing the projection is difficult. Please ask if this would be helpful to you.
At our earlier worship services, we make use of both organ and piano as the musician leads the congregation in singing. The 8:00 a.m. worship sounds a bit more traditional, making use of some classic elements of the liturgy. The 9:30 a.m. is a bit more “blended” in terms of musical selections and flow of the service. At our late service, a band with guitars, percussion, piano, and vocalists lead the congregation in singing music which has generally been written more recently.
When we celebrate communion, we offer the meal at serving stations around the sanctuary. We serve either white bread or wafers and wine or grape juice poured into individual cups from a large chalice. We ask that you take an empty glass from the tray provided at each station, and then hold it for the server to pour wine into (or grape juice if you request). There is a second tray near the station where you may place your empty cup. Our ushers will direct you to a station, but please let them know if for mobility reasons you would prefer that the servers bring the meal to where you are seated.
The rhythm of our Worship.
We are Gathered. As we assemble following another week of seeking to live our lives as disciples of Jesus, we begin with a time to prepare our hearts and refocus our minds. Through music, prayer, words of confession and the pronouncement of God’s forgiveness, as well as announcements pertaining to our life together and an opportunity to greet one another in the peace of Christ we ready ourselves to hear God’s Word. Sometimes we are gathered with a new Christian as we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
We Listen. We turn our attention to the Holy Scriptures, usually following the ancient pattern of the whole church in hearing readings correlated with the season of the church year. Sometimes we utilize the biblical hymnbook of psalms to reflect upon these words which shape us. Often we invite children forward for a special time of reflection upon God’s word to us. The preacher seeks to bring the words we have heard to life for us through a contemporary message.
We Respond. Together we often confess our faith in the historic words used by the church for ages, hear an offering of music, join in prayer for all people, and offer the gifts of our time, talents, and treasures as we have been shaped as disciples. We offer what we are able in thanksgiving to God for the marvelous gifts of grace.
We Share a Meal. Frequently we celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, in which we remember Jesus’ command to his disciples to love one another and to join in a meal to remember him. We invite all who have received the faith that Jesus is present in this meal to come to this table. Those who have been baptized and prepared are welcome to receive the elements of this meal which are bread and wine by coming forward with open hands. Others are welcome to participate by coming forward to receive a special word of blessing, indicating so by clasping hands.
We are Sent. Nourished by God’s word for us in scripture and in the meal, we are blessed for service and mission and sent out into the world to bear witness to the risen Christ and to care for others in Jesus’ name.
