Since the Bible presents no dress code, aside from simple decency and Christian humility, Immanuel Lutheran Church doesn't make any rules either. Like most people, our members try to make their worship time at church a special time. This is often reflected in the way they dress.
But dress is a personal matter of worship before God. On any Sunday at our church, you may see running shoes and high heels, jeans and suits, open collars and ties. When a person dresses out of love for God, the choice of causal dress or more formal is acceptable to God...and us.
Sunday Worship
Every church has its own style of worship. You should expect it to take a couple of Sundays to become accustomed to our way of praising God together.
Each week you will recieve a bulletin when you arrive. The Order of Service is printed in the Hymnal. The page number for this is in the bulletin. All the Scripture readings and prayers are printed on the insert in the bulletin. You are welcome to bring along your own Bible and follow along there if you choose.
Our services focus on readings from the Bible where we hear God talk to us. Music and singing are an important part of our services too. Loud or soft, in monotone or rich harmony, all our praises are music to God as we respond to hearing of his grace in His Word. You might even remember a favorite hymn or song to ask our pastor to use in an upcoming service.
The services usually include the following parts in a variety of forms:
Call to Worship (sometimes called the Invocation) - We call on the name of our Savior God as we praise him.
Admitting sins and finding forgiveness - We acknowledge that we have not always done what God asks. Then, we are assured of forgiveness because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.
Bible Readings - We hear selections from God's Old Testament prophets, Jesus' apostles, and from Jesus himself in the Gospels. The pastor also gives a brief explanation of each reading and how it ties in each Sunday's theme.
Sermon - Our pastor offers instruction and encouragement in a Bible-based sermon. We hear how we can expect God's guidance and grace for dealing with problems, as well as the promise of eternal life in heaven through Jesus.
Response to the Word - We respond with offerings and prayers for the things God has promised to us and for strength to do what he has asked.
Parting Blessing - We hear one last assurance of God's care before we head out into the world to live as God's children.
Mixed throughout these different parts of our service are hymns and short songs to praise God. We hope you enjoy our services!
Offering
When will they take the offering?" "How will it be collected?" "How much am I expected to give?" "Do they want visitors to contribute too?" These are typical worries about church offerings.
The Bible teaches us that our offerings to God should reflect our belief that all we have is his gift to us. It teaches us that with our offerings we worship and honor God. Like most Christians, our members bring offerings to God through their church. Since offerings are gifts of love for God, no one dictates what each person is to give.
We pass an offering plate during the service so that our worship may include bringing gifts to God. Offering envelopes are available and keep our gifts a private matter known only to God. We look to Christ and his love to motivate us in our giving - whether it is a child putting in coins or an adult writing out a check.
You may wish at first to learn more about our church and our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church. But you are welcome to participate as your heart leads you to give.
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