Worship Information:

When you arrive for worship, the usher will hand you a worship bulletin.  The bulletin contains some introductory explanations, the order of service, and announcements.  When you are seated, you may look over this bulletin, greet others around you, and prepare for worship.

Worship may begin with a joyful hymn, by remembering our baptisms, or with a time of standing together and remembering our humanity.  After a prayer, one or more lessons from the Bible are read.  The sermon follows, with the sermon topic based on the readings for the day, with special emphasis on what they mean for our lives.  Another hymn is sung and the service continues with prayers and the offering.  When Holy Communion is celebrated, there are readings and songs that highlight the special meaning of this sacrament.  When you receive Holy Communion, the minister will place bread in your hand.  You may choose to eat the bread and then sip from the cup of wine (known as the common cup) or choose an individual small cup.  You may also dip your bread in the wine of the common cup.  If you chose the small cup, simply leave it in the tray that is nearby.  Holy Communion is offered to all baptized Christians whose practice it is to receive the sacrament.  The service ends with a blessing and a closing hymn.

Hymn singing is very important to Lutherans.  Our hymn numbers can usually be found on the hymn board at the front of the church.  However, we also are able to print the hymn within the bulletin and this is how most participants follow along throughout service.  The hymns we sing are chosen carefully to enrich the meaning of worship and the celebration of the season.  Large print bulletins are also available and will contain the printed hymns for those needing the large print.

Lutherans believe in participating in worship.  On a typical Sunday, you will find many people in the congregation reading lessons, singing, greeting, serving, and helping.  The ushers are there to answer any questions you have, but you are also encouraged to ask the person next you for help if you need it.

It is our prayer that worshiping with us will be a meaningful experience for you!

Sparks Education:

Our Sunday School programming utilizes the Sparks series through Augsburg Fortress and is geared toward children who are preschool age through fifth grades.  We meet in the downstairs Sunday School rooms from approximately 9:45 to 10:30 AM throughout the school year (September through May).  This is primarily a parent-led activity, with congregation members sometimes serving as the lesson leaders.  Bible stories are read and discussed each week and short activities related to the story are completed.  Traditionally, students are presented with their own Bible in the third grade.

Vacation Bible School:

Another opportunity for the youngsters in our congregation and community to learn about God is through the community wide Vacation Bible School.  Vacation Bible School is usually hosted on a rotating basis between the three churches in Lost Nation – including Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, United Presbyterian Church, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  VBS is typically an event held in June or July of each year and has previously been held in the morning, though in recent years early evening sessions with a light supper meal have been held.

Confirmation:

Confirmation classes for students in grades 7th and 8th are held throughout the school year and are coordinated with the Pastor, students, and their parents.  During confirmation, students learn more in-depth specific stories and a broad overview of both the Old and New Testaments.  Students also learn more about Lutheran history and the Catechism, including discussing the Ten Commandments, learning more about each article of the Apostle’s Creed, discussing the Sacraments, and the reasons for practicing confessions and forgiveness.  Confirmation has typically taken place on Reformation Sunday in October.

Discipleship:

Christian education, an ongoing relationship with God’s Word, is a representation of our daily call to discipleship.  We believe that it is important to study God’s Word and to discover how the Bible relates to daily life.  By staying immersed in the Word, we believe we stay immersed in conversation with God.  Conversation with God should take the form of daily prayer and meditation.  Praying for the Holy Spirit to inspire us, praying for others whom we know or those in need in our world are good ways to begin.  As a part of discipleship, we believe it is important to consider how we are supporting the mission and ministry of your church.