Worship Description

Before any key turns in a lock this morning,
Before anyone adjusts the thermostat,
Before the crumbs from yesterday's Gathering Hall event are swept up,
God is here. Waiting. Watching. Pacing.
Eagerly peering out the stained glass windows,
Anticipating these Christ-followers gathering.
Sunday - God's smile day.

We use a form of worship known as "liturgy" which means "work of the people." The format, which is scripture set to music, has been used for centuries, while "always being made new." 

This concept is best described by Soren Kierkegaard as participating in the "Divine Drama," which is God's story of relationship with the world where all present are the actors, worship leaders are the prompters, and God alone is the audience. In other words, we are participants, not spectators in worship.

Worship, where God gathers us, speaks to us, feeds us, cleanses us, and sends us flows like this:

 

 

GATHERING

God gathers us together for Confession and Forgiveness, Singing and Praying.

 

 

 

WORD

God speaks to us through Scripture and Sermon. We respond through Singing, Faith Statements and Prayers.

 

 

 

BATH (BAPTISM)

God pours out his Spirit on new disciples and those reaffirming faith.

 

 

 

MEAL

God feeds us through Holy Communion where Christ hosts the meal and invites all to his table.

 

 

SENDING

God sends us into the world to bring his kingdom by serving others.

 

 

HEALING SERVICE

The ministy of Jesus consisted of many healings. Through the centuries, the Church continued its involvement in this important work. If at any time during the year you need Anointing doe Healing, please contact the pastor directly. One particular days of the year, we include Anointing in the context of a Eucharistic Liturgy. These days are chosen because the saints commemorated had special gifts for healing ministry.

February 25th: St Elizabeth Fede. Fede was a deaconess from Norway who came to the United States. In addition to ministering to the many Scandinavian immigrants in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, she was also instrumental in establishing Lutheran Hospitals in New York City, Minneapolis and Chicago.

August 13th: St Florence Nightingale and St Clara Maas. Nightingale was probably the most famous nurse of all time. The lesser-known Maas was a nurse in New Jersey who volunteered during the Spanish American War. She served in Jacksonville, FL, Savanah, GA, and Santiago, Cuba. She died in Havana after volunteering for experiments leading to the cure of Yellow Fever.

October 18th: St Luke, Evangelist and Physician. Luke was the author of the Gospel which bares his name and is widely thought to have composed the book of Acts as well. Before all of that he was a physician.

 

WORSHIP FORMAT

In our worship we use the Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal that includes both traditional and contemporary music. All readings, responses, and prayers are contained in the Sunday bulletin that you receive from the ushers. Large print bulletins are also available.