I'm a visitor. What can I expect?
Our service centers around Jesus Christ, sin and grace, repentance and forgiveness. Throughout the service, the different elements of worship direct our attention to our Savior and His Word. When you arrive, people from the congregation will certainly introduce themselves to you, and ask if you have any questions. Don't worry! We won't point you out during the service. Expect some singing of about 3 or 4 songs, readings from the Bible, and a message on one of those readings from the pastor. If you would rather not sing, don't worry! Even some of our members prefer just to listen along.
What does it cost?
There is no charge at all. There will be a time in most services when plates will be passed for the congregation members to have an opportunity to give an offering to God. This money is used to run our local church, as well as the work of all our congregations that are joined together in our teachings and in our goals (the Wisconsin Synod). Visitors should not feel obligated to give any money.
I have special needs. What do you offer to help me out?
We are happy to be able to offer you all sorts of amenities.
If your eye sight just isn't what it used to be, we have large print editions of our hymn book for each service.
If you have trouble getting around, fear not! Our church is fully handicap accessible.
Noisy kids? Don't worry about it. We would rather have noisy children in church than quiet children at home. But if you still feel uncomfortable with fussy kids, we have a cry room with with the sound piped in so you can still hear the service.
How much should I participate?
You are invited to join in any responses as long as you remain comfortable with them. Some of what we say as a congregation is a statement of what we believe. If you do not believe the same, then we do not expect you to confess along with us. Listen. Learn. Grow. If we say what you believe, join in!
In our service we may celebrate Holy Communion, (sometimes commonly called the Lord's Supper, or less commonly called the Eucharist). God wants everyone to receive the blessings of this holy supper, but He has also attached warnings to it. He speaks of taking it "in an unworthy manner" which results in spiritual harm instead of blessing (1 Corinthians 11:28,29). It is also an expression of unity of belief ( 1 Corinthians 10:17). Therefore, if we do not know if you have been instructed in the nature of the Lord's Supper, or have not examined what we believe to see if you agree with us in full, we may, out of love and care, ask you to refrain from taking the Lord's Supper yet. We pray that in time, we may express full fellowship with each other and join in this holy meal together.
What about Baptism?
God attaches great blessings to Baptism without any such warnings as He does in the Lord's Supper. He says that it is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He says that Baptism now saves you (1 Peter 3:21). And so we are happy to baptize anyone who requests it. Since we believe that all sin and need forgiveness, we also baptize children and trust that there the Holy Spirit will be at work, just as He says, creating faith in our hearts. For adults, we may have brief instruction on what Baptism is and on the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in whose name we baptize.
What should I wear?
There is no dress code for public worship. Come however you like. We simply ask that you be aware that this is a special hour of the week when we worship God together as a group, and our members may dress nicely in a way that reflects this.