WORSHIP
June 30, 2020
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 then nurtures that 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 is 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 songwriter, 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 (what God’s will is, and how we stack up against it or are guided by it) and Gospel (the good news of God’s undeserved grace that takes away our sin and gives us forgiveness because of Jesus’ death on the cross and victorious resurrection).
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 is 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, given and shed 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 an example of art visualizing truth: God is eternal; the light of His presence is always with us.
Join us on Sundays for Bible Class at, 9:00 a.m. and for church, at 10:30 a.m. Call or email Pastor Knill with your questions. Tell others about the church, and about our Food Ministry program. Offer to help with our ministry to the community.
Lutherans sing a lot. Martin Luther was a great songwriter, 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 (what God’s will is, and how we stack up against it or are guided by it) and Gospel (the good news of God’s undeserved grace that takes away our sin and gives us forgiveness because of Jesus’ death on the cross and victorious resurrection).
Architecture and the Arts
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, given and shed 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 an example of art visualizing truth: God is eternal; the light of His presence is always with us.
Our Invitation to You
Join us on Sundays for Bible Class at, 9:00 a.m. and for church, at 10:30 a.m. Call or email Pastor Knill with your questions. Tell others about the church, and about our Food Ministry program. Offer to help with our ministry to the community.
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