What to expect at our Worship Service.
WHO LEADS WORSHIP SERVICE?
We gather for a weekly worship service on Sundays at 10:00 am. The service is led by Pastor Miranda, who is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the service contains elements familiar to both the Lutheran (ELCA) tradition as well as the Methodist (UMC) tradition.
OUR WORSHIP STYLE:
Our worship style is considered “traditional” insofar as we sing hymns from our hymnals and use a sung liturgy for communion – however, the language we use in prayers and liturgy is more modern and contemporary, incorporating expansive language for God.
COME AS YOU ARE:
Our worship environment is casual, and all are invited to come dressed in whatever makes them feel most themselves that day!
ARRIVAL:
When you arrive you will be greeted by an usher and given a worship bulletin. The worship bulletin contains the order of worship, letting you know what to expect in the service – everything else you need for service is projected on the screen. One of our Worship Volunteers will ring our bell out front signaling that worship service will start soon and to head into the sanctuary.
HYMNALS:
Hymnals will be available underneath the chair in front of you.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW): red cover, white pages The United Methodist Hymnal (UMH): red cover, red pages The Faith We Sing (TFWS): black cover
BIBLE:
We use a variety of scripture translations in worship and study to expand the ways in which we hear the Word of God. Most of our Bible readings in Sunday worship come from The Inclusive Bible, also known as the First Egalitarian Translation. The Inclusive Bible is a fresh, dynamic translation into modern English, carefully crafted to let the power and poetry of the language shine forth. Seeking to be faithful to the original languages, Priests for Equality have sought new and non-sexist ways to express the same ancient truths. Sometimes we use a more traditional translation, like the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and sometimes we use a more creative paraphrased version, such as the First Nations Version (an Indigenous Translation of the New Testament).
COMMUNION:
Communion Sundays: We celebrate Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. All are welcome at the table, regardless of church membership, attendance, or particular beliefs. All who want to partake in the sacrament are always welcome and invited to do so.
Our homemade communion bread is gluten free and vegan – we have both wine and grape juice available as well. Those who want to participate without receiving communion are invited to come forward for a special blessing if they so choose.
Non-communion Sundays: You are welcome to fill out a Pastoral Care Card to request a personal communion visit from our pastor.
OFFERINGS:
Rather than passing the offering plate, it is located in the back by the entrance doors. You can take your offering there at any time, or give online via Tithly. However, if you are visiting, know that there is no expectation of an offering – your presence among us is gift enough.
WORSHIP SERVICE RECORDINGS:
Our worship service is recorded and uploaded to our YouTube Channel by noon on Sundays. If you are concerned about being seen on a recording, ask an usher for help finding a seat out of camera view.
