Christ Lutheran Church's
Our services are liturgical; we follow a set
pattern for each service. As you enter our sanctuary, an usher will give you the
weekly bulletin. This bulletin lists how each service will run.
Typically, we use hymns from the Lutheran Book of Worship
(green) and With One Voice Supplement (blue). Hymn titles and numbers (NOT page
numbers!) are included in the bulletin. Below is an outline from a typical
service. Things do vary to an extent, especially during special seasons and days
of the Christian calendar, but the context is generally the same. Many of the
spoken portions of the service have a page number listed, so they can be
followed in the front sections of the hymnals which contain text for the various
services.
Some meditation thoughts can be found in the
bulletin to consider during the pre-service music.
Our
service then begins with a welcome from the pastor, including announcements and
prayer requests. A gathering song is then sung, usually followed by "Confession
and Forgiveness", a greeting , and the kyrie, as contained in the hymnals. A
Hymn of Praise is sung, followed by a prayer of the day and our day's lessons
(Bible readings). A Children's Message is then given, during which all children
are invited up the front of the sanctuary. The (adult) message follows, and the
Hymn of the Day is sung. Our faith is confessed using one of three main Creeds.
The Prayers of the Church follow, and then God's peace is shared (A greeting and
hand shaking, wishing peace to be with all, amongst the congregation). The
offering is collected by the usher's and brought forward, during an offertory
hymn. A brief offertory prayer is then said.
We practice a "close" communion, usually two or three Sundays every month, which means that all baptized persons, who truly believe that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is present in the bread and wine of the meal, are welcome to join with us at our "table". Because many church's have different communion practices, a detailed description is offered here. The "Great Thanksgiving" is lead by the pastor, a communion assistant, and several "helpers". After the "Words of Institution" are given and the bread is broken, an usher will invite the people, by pews, to the front of the sanctuary. Another helper at the stairs will then lead the recipient to the acolyte where a cup can be taken (grape juice is available in pre-filled cups for those choosing not to receive wine) and they then kneel at the communion rail, on the side from which they were seated, filling in from the outside toward the center. After receiving the bread and wine of the sacrament, please return to your seat along the outside walls of the sanctuary. (The blessing will be be given to all recipients once all have partaken of the sacrament.) For those unable to ascend the stairs or kneel at the rail, the sacraments can be brought to the recipient in the sanctuary. Those waiting to receive or those who have already received communion are invited to join in singing the "Music During Distribution". Finally, the "Post Communion Canticle" for the day is sung, followed by a prayer and blessing.
The pastor dismisses the congregation, and a sending song is sung, followed by post-service music as the congregation exits and is greeted by the pastor.
Water has been placed in the baptismal font to remind us of the connection between the resurrection of our Lord and our baptism. You may use this to make the sign of the cross as you enter worship and as you leave. Having water available is not just a Roman Catholic custom; it goes all the way back to the early church. All members of the congregation are encouraged to put their hands into the water before and after worship to remind themselves of being baptized into the family of God and that in our baptism is new life, forgiveness and the promise of the resurrection.
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This page was last updated on 07/26/02.