We're thrilled you are interested in joining us for worship! Whether this is your first time attending church or you're an active church-goer, you may have some questions about what to expect when you get here. Maybe you haven't attended a traditional Lutheran service before and would like to learn more about our worship practices. Either way, you're in the right place! We have tried to answer some common questions below!
Our church service begins at 9:00 am, and therefore it is suggested to be there 15-20 minutes early so that you can get acclimated to our building, get the bulletin, and be introduced to the Pastor if you desire to receive the Lord's Supper.
We recommend wearing clothes. But all kidding aside, some people dress up in their "Sunday best" while others come wearing something more casual or comfortable. You don't need to worry about impressing anybody. The Lord looks at our hearts and not whether or not we have a fancy designer label sewn into our shirts or pants.
Our parking lot is located on the left (south) side of our church facilities. There are numerous spaces designated for those with handicap placards, and several spaces on the row of our parking lot closest to the ditch are reserved for guest parking. Once parked, proceed to the double doors under the overhang at Luther Hall. You will be welcomed by one of our members or greeters, who will help direct you once inside our building.
You will enter our building through Luther Hall. This room serves as our fellowship space and a venue for the adult Bible class on Sunday mornings. If you continue straight through Luther Hall, you will arrive at another spacious area called "Founders Hall." This was the original fellowship hall for almost 60 years. Just before the doorway to Founders Hall, a hallway on your left leads to a large, family- and handicapped-accessible bathroom. When in Founders Hall, there are also men's and women's bathrooms. If you don't see them, ask a member and they will be happy to direct you. In the middle of Founders Hall are two long tables that feature church magazines, devotional materials, and the bulletins for the day's service. We have two types of bulletins for you: larger-print bulletins that include everything in the order of the service, and half-page bulletins that outline the service, allowing you to use the hymnal during church. If you would like to download a copy of the bulletin to your tablet or phone, please click the "Sunday Bulletin and Live Stream" button under the "Worship Items" tab above.
The Sunday morning Divine Service is best described as historic, traditional, and liturgical in nature. It is historic in that the shape and form of the service connect with the worship that the Christian church has engaged in for centuries. It is traditional in that it ties into our Lutheran heritage and pulls from the rich tapestry of worship that has been passed down to us. It is liturgical in that we follow an order of service that helps guide us through the service of the Word (preaching) and the service of the Sacrament (the Lord's Supper). There are spoken and sung responsive readings, hymns, prayers, and more. The Sunday morning service is truly a conversation between the Lord and His people, as well as a connection between heaven and earth at key points in the liturgy.
Absolutely! We firmly believe that families should worship together and that worship services can teach children (and adults) a great deal about the faith. The pastor has always said that he can preach louder than any child and feels it is vital for children to be with their parents, primarily because the Bible teaches us that faith comes by hearing. Feel free to sit up in the front of the church so that your children can be engaged and see what is happening during the parts of the service. The sound of children in a worship service is one of the best things you can ever hear! If you are concerned about potential disruptions or if your child does get a bit antsy, we do provide a staffed nursery each Sunday morning. To reach the nursery, please follow the signs from Founders Hall to the rear of our church building. If you're unsure where to go, an usher or one of our members would be happy to guide you. We don't divide up families when it comes to worship. Additionally, we believe that God is actively delivering His gifts to us in worship, so why would we want our kids to miss out on that?
At the end of the service, the members exit the sanctuary and proceed into Founders Hall, where they are greeted by the pastor, an elder, and one of our St. Paul Ambassadors (greeters). If this is your first time joining us for a service, we kindly ask that you fill out one of the "Welcome Cards" provided by the Pastor or greeter. The card requests your name, address, phone number (including cell phone number), whether you would mind Pastor sending you a text, space for prayer requests, and how you heard about our St. Paul Lutheran Church family. Don't worry - we won't call you about your car's extended warranty or bother you every day. Our goal is to get to know our guests better so that we can provide the best spiritual care for those attending. After filling out the "Welcome Card", you are welcome to proceed back into Luther Hall for some coffee, snacks, and a time of fellowship with our members.
After our members and guests have had a time to enjoy some yummy treats, Pastor teaches the Adult Bible Class. Class begins at approximately 10:30 am and lasts for one hour. The pastor usually alternates between a book of the Bible and a topical study. If you have never participated in a Bible study before, or if studying God's Word is familiar to you, you are most welcome to stay and learn more about how God's Word impacts our daily lives. You are under no pressure to stay, and if you're unable to, perhaps you can plan to attend one of the classes on a subsequent visit.
That is an excellent question. Each person and family has different spiritual needs, and variations in how those needs are best met. We encourage you to participate in at least three consecutive services, as well as one of our Bible Studies or church events, to get to know the people and the Pastor. Choosing a church family is much like investing in the stock market. To achieve a significant return on your investment in the market, you must make a concerted effort to invest in it. The same is for the church. Church is a two-way street - you will gain a lot from church as you invest your time and get to know the people. If you only walk in, sit through a service, and then immediately walk out without interacting with our members, you may feel like the church isn't friendly or doesn't care about you and your walk with the Lord.