Guest information
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!'” Psalm 122:1
Grace, mercy, and peace be yours in the Name of our Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus Christ and a word of Christian welcome:
We are delighted the Holy Spirit has brought you to inquire of and receive the blessings of the Word of God with us. If you are a guest with us in worship, we hope to make you comfortable and know you might have a few questions. Whether you’re passing through on vacation, helping a child move in or out of university, or looking for a church home, we’re delighted you’re here. Members young and old refer to our congregation as a family and we pray you’ll be edified by the Word and encouraged in your faith by the family of believers gathered here.
Below you will find answers to a few questions about which you might be wondering.
How do I follow the Divine Service?
When you enter, please pick up an Order of Service from an usher. This folder contains all you’ll need to follow along for worship. It also directs you to the pages in Lutheran Service Book for the hymns being sung that day.
What about Lutheran Beliefs and Practice in a Nutshell?
Trinity Lutheran Church is gathered to receive the gracious work of Jesus Christ though teaching and the administration of the Sacraments as given in Holy Scripture and explained in the 1580 Book of Concord.
As a confessional Lutheran church:
- We are gathered to humbly confess that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed and were deserving of eternal death.
- We are gathered to rejoice that we have received new life: the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Christ.
- We daily repent of our sins, drowning the old Adam and receiving God’s mercy in Christ. Thus we are daily dying to sin and daily being raised with Christ.
- Our only hope and whole life is in Christ. We are known for proclaiming Jesus at the center of everything we do.
- The Lord Jesus is truly present in the Divine Service so our worship is reverent.
- We rejoice at the clarity of God’s Word. The Law shows us our sin and what God demands of us. The Gospel shows what God has done and is doing for us in Christ Jesus.
- We take Jesus at His Word neither adding to or subtracting from Holy Scripture.
- We are known as the teaching church. We sing hymns that teach, use the historic liturgy because it points us always to the Gospel, and enjoy learning together in Bible studies.
Looking to learn more? Please click here for What We Believe, Teach, and Confess.
What about receiving Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper?
What is Holy Communion? Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, or the Sacrament of the Altar is administered at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that along with the bread and the wine we receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 22:22-24; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Our Lord has shed His true blood and instituted His Supper for our benefit, that we might be joined to Him. We therefore take Him at His Word, believing and trusting in His gift and promise, without adding to or taking away from what He has said. This eating and drinking is a true participation, a communion, in the very same body and blood of Christ present on the cross of Calvary, not symbolic or representative (1 Cor. 10:16). Through the gift of Communion, the Lord bestows on us the forgiveness of sins and strengthens our union with Him and with one another.
Who should receive the Lord’s Supper? Our Lord desires that those who commune should know and believe what they are receiving in Holy Communion unto their benefit and not unto harm (1 Corinthians 11:29). Communicants should be instructed in God’s Word so that they can properly examine themselves prior to communing (1 Corinthians 11:28), and should be united as one body in the faith (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 10:17). Our pastors and those gathered here desire and pray for your presence at this altar to receive the Lord’s gifts. To achieve this unity in confession, our pastors desire a conversation with those who are not yet instructed or believe differently (belong to another church body or denomination) because Holy Communion is a public confession of agreement with all doctrine believed, taught, and confessed here. We also ask guests from other LCMS congregations to speak with the pastors before communing.
All who are communicant members in a congregation of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, those Lutheran churches that are in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS and not under church discipline may commune here. All other guests are invited to come to the communion rail for a blessing from the Pastor. Please cross your arms at the rail to receive the blessing.
How do I eat and drink Christ’s body and blood? Communicants may receive the host by having it placed directly into the mouth or by having it placed in the palm of the hand. If the communicant wishes to take the individual cup, please receive one from the tray as the elder comes to your place at the communion rail. Drink from the individual cup when the pastor comes to your place at the communion rail with the chalice and speaks the words of distribution. If the communicant wishes to receive the chalice wait for the individual cup to pass and the pastor will commune you from the chalice.
Food Sensitivities: If an individual has a sensitivity to gluten, a special host is available. Please request this host from the pastor when he comes to your place. Alcohol-removed wine is also available in the pink glasses of the individual cup should an individual desire. If you desire to learn more about the Christian faith, or are interested in becoming a member of this church, both of our Pastors would be delighted to begin a conversation with you.
A Few Other Common Concerns and Needs
Restrooms: located in the hallway off the sanctuary overflow area (facing forward toward the altar, the open area to the left). Proceed through the door in the overflow area and you will find the restrooms to your right. From the Narthex, proceed to the past the stairs and turn right once you pass through the wooden double doors.
Audio and Print Assistance: Hearing-assist and live-captioning devices are available for the hearing-impaired. If either device may assist in your hearing and meditation on the Word of God, the ushers will be able to offer assistance. The large print edition of the hymnal is also available. Please speak with an usher or pastor for help with these devices.
Accessibility: For those who may not be able to or comfortable navigating the stairs to the lower level, a lift is located just outside the sanctuary overflow area. Ushers or church members are able to assist with operation of the lift.
Recording: Trinity publishes a recording of worship services both on our website and on YouTube (TrinityCoMo). Sermons are also available on our website.
What about Lutheran worship?
Ecclesiastes 5:1 says, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools.” Our Lord speaks and we listen. Using the historic liturgy, we speak back to God what He has first said to us by His Word. The words we use in worship are God’s own word and are thus most true and certain. The Divine Service is really the Triune God serving us with His graciousness and goodness for the sake Jesus Christ. In this way, true Christian worship is passive-we receive from God what he desires to give: the forgiveness of sins. We respond with thanks and praise for His gracious gifts using His Word. We also receive strength, comfort, consolation, encouragement, and instruction though the heavenly wisdom imparted by the work of the Holy Spirit.
What about children?
We are blessed you are and your children here. Children are a heritage from the Lord and full members of Christ’s kingdom. Parents and their children are welcome to sit toward the front of the sanctuary so that the children can see and hear the service clearly. Don’t worry, they won’t bother the pastors. Here your children may watch the pastors, note the colors, and smell the candles. They’ll be learning all we do revolves around the altar. Jesus promises to engage them with His Word and Spirit (St. Mark 10:13-16).
Engage your children through the Divine Service by teaching them the liturgy and the importance of hearing. Encourage them to speak the responses with you, “And with thy spirit!” and sing, Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy!” The children will follow your lead and they are very capable of learning challenging words. If you need help, look around: your brothers and sisters in Christ are delighted to assist.
The Family Room in the Narthex may be used if you need to step out, but please hurry back! Jesus desires children hear His Word in the Divine Service. To find this room, turn right after exiting the Nave and it is the first door on your right. A nursery is available with chairs, a single person restroom, a changing station, and busy bags with sensory toys. You’ll be able to see and hear everything in the service from here.
Children’s bulletins are available in the Narthex. These contain a simple presentation of the Sunday’s themes and readings and serve as a teaching resource for the home.
What will people be wearing?
You’ll see suits and ties, Sunday dresses, and blue jeans.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7