What to Expect

About Our Worship

Lutheran worship is anchored in God’s action toward us in Jesus Christ. We refer to our service as “The Divine Service” because God serves us as His Word is proclaimed and His Sacraments are celebrated. Called together by the Holy Spirit, we confess our sins and rejoice in God’s forgiving grace in Christ, faithfully express the truth of the Scriptures, offer prayers and intercessions, and depart in peace to serve the Lord.

Our liturgy is the language of worship and prayer, which enables us to proclaim our faith while also preserving it from attacks by the world. The content and form of our liturgy may not meet popular standards for entertainment; however, by God’s grace, it brings us to an honest encounter with the Living God who has revealed Himself to us in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Holy Communion

The Lord’s Supper is one of the means by which Jesus forgives our sin. In His Supper, Jesus is present with us to forgive our sin as He promises, “Take, eat; this is my body.” “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at Faith Lutheran Church in the confession and glad confidence that when Jesus said, “This is my body…this is my blood,” He really meant it. As Lutheran Christians, we believe that the body and blood of Christ are present in the Sacrament. This presence is real, not figurative or symbolic. In, with and under the bread and wine, Christ Himself feeds us with His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who believe His words, repent of all sins, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us.

Lutheran Christians believe, teach, and confess that according to His word, Jesus is present in this meal. Therefore:

• Participation in the Lord’s Supper is to be taken seriously, as the Bible reminds us: “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” (I Corinthians 11:28)
• According to the Scripture, it is possible to receive the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, which can result in great harm: “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.” (I Corinthians 11:27)
• The Lord’s Supper is not a private matter. It involves a confession of common faith shown by those who commune at the altar: “We, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” (I Corinthians 10:17)
• It is our practice to ask that those who have not yet been baptized and instructed in the Christian faith, or who may be in doubt or hold a confession of faith different from that of this congregation and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod to first arrange to speak with one of our pastors before receiving the Lord’s Supper.

Monthly Communion Schedule

• 1st and 3rd Sundays – 8:00 am service
• 2nd and 4th Sundays – 10:30 am and 5:00 pm services
• 5th Sundays and Festivals – All services

Children & Worship

People of God have a long history of participating in worship as families. In the Old Testament, as Israel prepared to leave the desert and enter the Promised Land, God commanded them to “assemble the people – men, women and children,” so they might learn to fear and follow Him. (Deuteronomy 31:12)

Children may not appreciate all the things that are meaningful for adults, but their involvement in worship helps to establish a good practice of faithful worship. With this noble habit, children learn that their life of faith is important while also developing a sense of fellowship and belonging to the people of God.

Small children are welcome to bring books and quiet toys to church. Older children are invited to use the worship resources we offer. A weekly children’s bulletin may be found on the table across from the mail boxes in the entryway. A special page for children, “Kids in the Pew,” may be found in each pew.

We encourage parents to bring children to worship as much as possible. However, for children who need a place to settle down during worship, or moms who need to nurse, a cry room and mothers’ room are available in the Preschool Wing for parents to use.

Families are invited to bring children forward during the Lord’s Supper so they might receive a blessing. This follows the practice of parents who brought small children to Jesus so He might touch and bless them. (Mark 10:13-16)

Music Programs

Faith Lutheran Church has an active music program in which all ages can participate. The Senior Choir (high school and older) sings most Sundays at the communion service and at special services throughout the year, with a summer hiatus. Children and youth can join the Junior Choir (3rd-8th grade) or Preparatory Choir (K-2nd), where they learn the basics of music and vocal technique.

Instrumentalists and singers are encouraged to share their gifts in worship, whether by themselves or with an ensemble.

Visit the Music & Worship ministry page for further details.

Welcome!

We invite anyone who is interested in joining our congregation to speak with one of our pastors. Approval of requests for membership is the responsibility of the Board of Elders of Faith Lutheran Church. There are a variety of ways to become at member.

Transfer

Members at other congregations of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod may transfer membership to Faith Lutheran Church. If you would like to transfer, please contact your former congregation and request that they initiate the process.

Profession of Faith

Those who belong to other Lutheran bodies or whose memberships at other Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations are no longer active may become members of Faith Lutheran Church after meeting with one of the pastors.

Adult Confirmation

Those who have never been a member of a Lutheran congregation must attend our Adult Instruction class: “What Do We Believe?” Participants will have the opportunity to join Faith Lutheran Church at the end of the class.

Youth Confirmation

Seventh and eighth grade students participate in confirmation classes during the school year. Eighth graders are confirmed in April or May of each year, at which time they are received as communing members of Faith Lutheran Church.

Baptism

Lutherans place great value on our Lord’s command to baptize all nations. This includes infants, children, youth and adults. We are pleased to extend to those who have not been baptized the blessing offered by Christ in this holy washing.