Everyone is welcome to worship with us. This section is designed for the first-time visitor who is not familiar with the service.

The average attendance is between 35 and 50.

Wear what you feel is comfortable and appropriate for worship. There is no dress code and Sunday morning attire ranges from jeans to suits and ties.

You will be greeted by an usher who will hand you a bulletin which contains the service and the readings for the day as well as announcements. Offering envelopes for visitors are found on the book carrel inside the door of the sanctuary. You are free to sit wherever you wish. The service book is found in the pew. The service book, the Lutheran Book of Worship, or the “cranberry book”, contains the service and all of the hymns. This book is relatively new to us as it replaces the “green book” and the “blue book” (With One Voice) so we are gradually getting used to it and the different settings. There are ten different “settings” in the book and the bulletin will direct you to the setting for the day and the page numbers for the parts of the service. The readings, including the Gospel lesson, and the Psalm, which is read responsively, are printed in the bulletin so that you can follow along. The hymns are a mix of contemporary and old favorites. Most of our liturgy is sung, but all of the tunes are printed in the book.

At the service you will need to stand up and sit down at different points. Standing is generally a way of showing respect for God. The pastor usually indicates when to stand up, but you can follow the lead of others in the congregation.

There is communion every Sunday and everyone is welcome to take communion. You have the option of sharing a common cup or taking a small glass from a side table on the right hand side as you go to the altar to be filled at the altar. If you do not want wine, there is grape juice in glasses on the altar which you can choose to receive if you let the assistant know when you are at the altar. Ushers will not tell you when to go to communion and everyone is free to go up when they want to. In actual practice, it usually goes front to back. If you are not able to climb the stairs to the altar, please let someone know and the Pastor and assistant will bring communion to you in the pew when they go back to commune the organist.

The offering is taken following the sharing of the peace (which follows the sermon, hymn of the day, prayers of the church, and creed). You are welcome to make a contribution but are by no means required. You may wish at first to learn more about our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church. Envelopes for visitors are available in the book carrel when you enter the church and are not found in the pews.

You will not be embarrassed and asked to stand and say anything and you will not be pointed out as a visitor. We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us. Church should be an enjoyable and uplifting experience. Don’t be afraid that you will say or do something wrong.

You will not be pressured to become a member. People need time to evaluate and decide if they wish further involvement. Feel free to ask questions of members or ask for assistance if you are trying to find your way through the worship book.

Feel free to attend the service with your children and do not worry that they will be noisy or disruptive. If they want, they may attend the Sunday School class or be looked after in the nursery, or your children may remain with you. Children may come forward with you at communion time and either take communion or receive a blessing.

Following the service, if you wish, you may sign the visitor book. You are welcome to join us for the coffee hour following the service. Members volunteer to provide the coffee and snack following the service each week so there is no charge and all are welcome. Coffee and conversation following the service is an important part of our congregational life and you will find this a lively and relaxed time.