What to Expect
What a joy it is to gather together for public worship! Why? Because in public worship, Christ comes to us in Word and Sacrament to provide our greatest need: the forgiveness of sins. With the forgiveness of sins we receive peace with God, freedom from sin, death and the devil, and life everlasting in heaven. Is there any greater joy than that?
Our services are centered entirely on proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ from beginning to end. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has declared the whole world "not-guilty" of sin, in another word: forgiven! Therefore in our worship services we strive to stay focused on Christ and the forgiveness of sins in all we sing, say and do.
On a Sunday morning we follow a worship format called a liturgy. Our liturgies are largely inherited from previous generations of Christians. They are the product of centuries of experience of what serves the Christian faith well. They are designed to keep us focused on the life and work of Jesus Christ. They repeat many of the important teachings of the Bible. They express the worshipers' unity by the things they sing, pray, say, do and hear together. They help to promote reverence and sincerity.
God has revealed to us everything He wants us to know in the Bible. So our preaching strives to present and explain portions of the Bible making it relevant to us today. We follow a special calendar called the "Church Year" which is a schedule of Bible readings for each Sunday. The Church Year follows the events in the life and ministry of Jesus on earth. (For example, at Christmas we observe His birth.) Our goal is not merely to speak on topics or offer self-help advice, rather we strive to show the hearer their need for Jesus and how Jesus fulfills that need--especially the need for salvation.
Come as you are! Your presence here is the most important thing of all. You may notice many of our attendees are dressed up as for a special event like an anniversary dinner or a graduation ceremony. They wish to do this as a way to honor their God. Some of our worshipers have come straight from work or are on their way to work and are wearing work clothes. Some just want to be comfortable. We want you to feel welcome no matter what you're wearing.
Come right on into the building and follow the people arriving into our worship area. As you enter, one of our ushers will hand you a worship folder. The service will also be projected on the walls in front. Be seated wherever you like.
We love children because Jesus loved children! Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the
Kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Luke 18:16). Having your children in worship with you is a very powerful thing that
will impact them the rest of their lives.
We oftentimes conduct a "children's sermon" during the regular service with the adults watching, inviting the children to the
front and tailoring the message in a way that is meant just for them.
Sometimes parents are concerned that their children are too wiggly or noisy. There is a room in the back of the worship space
where parents can take their children and still see and hear the worship service.
We also conduct Sunday School for children ages 4 thru 8th grade between our morning services while the adults are attending
Bible study. Please don't hesitate to ask someone where to go.
The Bible says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Peace members are committed to supporting the work of Peace Lutheran Church. You are not expected to give an offering when you come to Peace.
The Lord's Supper is a public expression of unity. Believers who receive it together are unified in what they believe. We do not
want you to be placed in a position of expressing unity with us before you've had an opportunity to learn what we teach.
Therefore, if you are not a member of Peace or one of its affiliate congregations, we ask you to WAIT and learn more about us first.
We usually sing hymns while the Lord's Supper is being offered. You are invited to remain seated and sing. You'll notice that
there'll be a number of other people present who also are not participating in the Lord's Supper - so you won't be the only one.
If you belong to another denomination we ask you to respect our practice (which we call "close communion") in the same way that
we won't presume for ourselves all the rights and privileges at your house of worship.
Our pastors regularly offer classes called Bible Information Classes (BICs) to give people an opportunity to learn the basics of
what the Bible teaches. These classes serve as membership courses as well.
