Our worship is rooted deeply in the liturgy but unbound by a singular cultural form. Centered around Word and Sacrament, our worship is truly the “liturgy,” that is, “the work of the people.” It is a time when we offer our prayers of thanksgiving or sorrow to God. We seek to express connection with our global neighbors and partners in prayer and in song. When we gather each Sunday around Word and Sacrament, we are strengthened by our encounter with the Triune God and with one another, that we may go out and serve God and neighbor in Christ’s name.
Want to know more about what to expect? Go to our denomination’s website about worship in the ELCA.
Worship is for the young…and the young at heart!
Worship is intergenerational here at Immanuel. The predictability of the liturgy (that is, the order of worship that has been passed down to us through hundreds of years) means that children are some of our most boisterous participants in worship. The children learn and rehearse the order of the liturgy in Sunday School and choir, and there is no reading requirement. There is no need for children’s church here. We worship all together as one body of Christ.
For children attending worship, Immanuel offers children’s bulletins and Kid-Packs with coloring books and activities. It is also our fervent hope that children find themselves engaged in the worship service, learning how to pray and praise God.
Though we believe that worship is for the children as much as the adults, we also provide nursery care for children ages 5 and younger at every service.
Worship Is Not a Spectator Sport!
We believe that worship is a communal act — something performed not by one person but by the community. We are all active participants in the liturgy and worship actively through singing, praying, standing, sitting, eating, listening critically, passing the peace, and many other ways.
Martin Luther writes about the “priesthood of all believers.” In that spirit, our members also take active leadership roles in worship each week as choir members, bell ringers, ushers, readers, communion assistants, acolytes, crucifers, altar guild members, and assisting ministers. We all have a role to play when worshiping the Lord! Come and join us!
The Eucharist
The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is celebrated at every Sunday service and other festivals of the church year. We believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the sacrament, though “how” remains a mystery. (For more on this, see the document, The Use of the Means of Grace. © 1997, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.) We offer both wine and grape juice at each celebration of Holy Communion.
Music in Worship
“Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” ~Martin Luther
St. Augustine said that one who sings “prays twice.” And in that spirit (and as good Lutherans), Immanuel sings! God has given us the gift of song, and we are a congregation that believes everyone can sing. (Yes, everyone!) Come and lift your voice to God with us!
“Praise the LORD with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”
~Psalm 33:2-3
We strive to use a variety of musical styles and instruments to make music to the Lord. The use of organ, handbells, chimes, piano, guitar, Orff instruments, flute, trumpet, trombone, and drums are just some of the ways we “make melody” to God. Come and try it out!
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.