What to Expect

Worship is central to who we are as God’s people and followers of Jesus. Our worship services are filled with music, God’s word, and Christ’s presence in Holy Communion.

You are welcome, just as you are!

Before visiting a new congregation, folks often wonder what to expect. When you arrive, it’s easy to find your way inside our fully-accessible building. Pick up a worship bulletin and grab a seat where you are comfortable. Sing with joy, stand as you are able, and share in the peace of Christ.

Central to our worship life is the presence of God through word and sacrament: God’s word proclaimed and the sacraments of baptism and holy communion, which are also called the “means of grace.” We believe that Jesus Christ is present in these means through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we describe worship as a “gathering around the means of grace.”

At Grace, we follow the ancient pattern of Christian worship: 

Gathering, Word, Prayer, Meal, Sending

We gather. We encounter God’s word. We pray together for each other and the world that God loves. We share a meal at the Lord’s table. Through God’s word, water, bread, and prayer, we are nurtured and sustained in faith and then, we are sent out into the world to love and serve in witness to God’s love and salvation in Christ.

But worship is not so much about what we do. Worship is about what God is doing. We believe that God is present when we gather together in worship, which is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

We celebrate Holy Communion every week, and trust that Jesus truly meets us in the sharing of bread and wine. All are welcome to share in this meal, where Jesus Christ comes with forgiveness, life, and salvation. We serve real bread and wine. Allergen-free bread and grape juice are also available. 

To learn more about worship with Grace, join us this week! 

To learn more about Lutheran worship, visit the ELCA’s Frequently Asked Questions page.