In the worship life of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, we are “liturgical.”  That is, we are mindful of following the church’s honored traditions for worship, while at the same time being open to renewal and change and adaptation.  We are community which welcomes worshippers from infants to elderly and everyone in between. 

 In its broad outlines, liturgical worship follows a pattern of Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending.  As we know from Justin’s description of an early Christian service in about 150 A.D., Christians have joined together in this type of worship since the earliest days.

Gathering . . .

often includes a Scriptural greeting, word of welcome, gathering song, confession and forgiveness, Kyrie, hymn of praise, and prayer of the day.   This segment of the service can be simple and brief, or more extended and elaborate on festival days and in holiday seasons.

The Word . . .

portion of worship generally consists of two readings and a gospel text, a hymn of response or psalm, children’s time (at 8:30 and 11:00 on Sundays), sermon, creed, and prayers of the community. 

In the Meal . . .

of Holy Communion, we join in the Great Thanksgiving, including Christ’s words of institution, and the Lord’s Prayer before distributing bread and wine (or grape juice) either at the altar rail or by station.  Whether this is called Mass or Eucharist or Lord’s Supper, it is the meal of God’s grace, forgiveness, and life.

Sending  . . .

may include taking Communion out to the homebound, benediction, sending hymn, and dismissal.  In addition, community announcements are included at this point, so that the worshippers are pointed to new opportunities to be sent forth in love and service.

Our Sunday morning services at First Lutheran are also strengthened by the presence of two adult choirs, men’s choir, youth choir, children’s choir, several bell choirs, organists, pianists, and various instrumentalists and soloists.  Music in styles both ancient and modern serves as a vehicle of God’s Word in our liturgies.  We welcome you to share in worship life at First Evangelical Lutheran Church!

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

 For nearly twenty years First Lutheran has hosted a Saturday evening worship service.  This service runs about 45 or 50 minutes, is accompanied by piano, and currently uses the “Now the Feast” setting of Marty Haugen.  The pastoral message is the same one heard at the other weekend services, and Communion is celebrated each time.

Sunday, 7:40 a.m.

This is the “quietest” and most basic of our worship services.  At 7:40 a.m. we use a brief spoken liturgy, including confession and forgiveness, prayer of the day, Scriptures, sermon, and Communion.  Sometimes the pastors will incorporate music into their message, but there are usually no other songs or liturgical music.

Sunday, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

 Both 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship are full services, running about an hour in length.  Accompaniment is normally by organ, and choirs are generally present to help lead singing and present special music.  We use the “new red” hymnal, formally called Evangelical Lutheran Worship, and the worshipping community can use several of the liturgical settings provided through that resource.  We are mindful of welcoming children at these services, with children’s time and children’s offering included each week.  Children are instructed in Communion participation in early elementary school, and the congregation welcomes children to the table in concert with their parents’ wishes.