Worship
Lutherans believe that worship begins with God. He touches us
with His Word and Sacraments. Through these means of communicating
His grace to us, He creates faith and nurtures faith. We respond to
Him in prayer, praise and through service. We reach out and join
with others in this response of faith and life. Though Lutherans
believe there is no prescribed form for worship, we are a liturgical
church by choice. The basic liturgical service in nearly 1400 years
old. Other worship forms and styles have come and gone, or serve a
purpose for a while, but the liturgy has stood the test of time.
Lutherans sing a lot. Martin Luther was a great song writer, and
that tradition has continued. Luther believed music was an excellent
way to communicate and to learn truths about God. Many hymns tell
about God and what He has done for us especially in Jesus Christ.
Others give us an opportunity to praise Him.
Sermons are a big part of Lutheran worship, but they occupy only
about 1/3 or less of the time in a service. Lutheran sermons are
based on a text from the Bible. Each sermon, in order to be
complete, must contain both Law and Gospel.
In the Law portion of a sermon the pastor helps us see how we have
sinned and fall short of God's will for our lives. In the Gospel he
shows us how God, in His grace, has overcome our sin and has won
forgiveness through Jesus. Forgiven, we are free to love God and
others and to serve all in the name of Jesus.
Architecture and the Arts
The cross is the center of attention in nearly every Lutheran
church. We believe and teach that Jesus died on the cross to pay for
our sins and for the sins of everyone in the world. Most crosses in
Lutheran churches do not show the body of Jesus on them, because we
emphasize that Jesus in no longer dead, that He has risen from the
dead to show His sacrifice for sin was complete.
The altar is also a major point of focus in most Lutheran churches.
Believers from Old Testament times sacrificed animals on altars, but
since Jesus came and offered Himself as the once-and-for-all
sacrifice for sins, we no longer need animals or any other kind of
sacrifice for sin. The altar is the place from which we serve the
bread and wine of communion, through which God gives us the body and
blood of Jesus for our sins and for the sins of the whole world.
Most Lutheran churches have three sections: a narthex, or
entranceway, a nave, where the people sit, and a chancel for the
furniture and activities connected with sharing the Word and
sacraments. The baptismal font and the pulpit are in the chancel
area. Art and artistic design in furniture, banners and other visual
displays enrich the worship experience. The eternal flame on the
wall behind the pulpit is example of art visualizing truth: God is
eternal; the light of His presence is always with us.
Our Invitation to You
Join us for Sunday School, 9:00 a.m. and for church, 10:30 a.m. Call or email pastor Knill with your questions. Tell others about the church, and about our free food program. Offer to help with our ministry to the community.
