Worship

Worship is at the center of the congregation. Members and guests can choose from three Sunday worship opportunities:

7:45 a.m. This forty-five minute worship always includes the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper. The style of worship is reflective and uses an abridged order of one of the church’s liturgical settings. Congregational singing is supported by the pipe organ.

8:45 a.m. The style of this hour-long worship is less formal, though the order contains all of the structural pieces of worship – gathering singing, confession, the reading of the Word, children’s time, proclamation, offering, prayers, the Lord’s Supper (on the first and third Sundays of the month), and the sending “into the world.” Music at this service is usually on the piano and/or with other instrumentation and choral leadership. Nursery service available.

11:00 a.m. Worship at this hour usually follows a full liturgical order as developed by a national commission of Lutheran musicians and scholars, and while evolved through the years, retains an historic connection to the church universal. This service also includes a children’s time. Like the 8:45 worship, the Eucharist is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month. The pipe organ is the main instrument at this service. Choral leadership supports the worship. Nursery service available.

Special worship services occur during Advent, Lent, Holy Week, Thanksgiving, and other occasions. Worship is always carefully planned and coordinated. Two musicians (both with their Ph.D’s. in church music) give outstanding leadership to our worship life. We rejoice in both “contemporary” and “traditional” modes of worship, but do not engage in celebrating one form over the other. We believe that even when we are using an historic and traditional setting for worship, it is contemporary by virtue of the fact that we are using it. top of page

Baptism
Baptism is one of the sacraments of the church and marks one’s entry into the community of faith.  Baptismal orientation classes are held the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m., and last approximately fifty minutes.  Parents should be committed to faith formation as well as “modeling” the faith.  Please call to make an appointment for the class.
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Weddings
Weddings are reserved for Grace members.  As such, Grace weddings are worship occasions for thanksgiving and invoking of God’s blessings on the bride and groom.  Non-members who wish to be married at Grace should contact one of the pastors to inquire about church membership.
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Funeral Services
Church funerals are reserved for members of the congregation.  Non-members in need of pastoral services at the time of a loved one’s death should contact one of the pastors who may be available for services at a funeral home or cemetery.
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Advent Worship
In anticipation of Christmas, the four week season of Advent offers a wonderful opportunity for renewed preparation in receiving God’s gift of Jesus.  Each year, special services (usually on Wednesday or Sunday afternoon/evening) are provided by the church.  Please call for a schedule.
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Lenten Worship
The pre-Easter 40 day period of intense preparation is called Lent.  The season is an invitation to remember and treasure all that Jesus Christ has done for us.  It is a time to “return home,” to be “reborn,” “to be crucified with Christ” that we might rise to newness of life.  Mid-week services occur on Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.  Special Holy Week services are held on Holy (Maundy) Thursday and Good Friday.
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