Biblical All our services are grounded in the Word of God, and most especially in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We take seriously the charge of Christ: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15).
Sacramental When Jesus said, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”, He meant it! Christ abides with His Church through the Sacraments that He instituted for our forgiveness, comfort, and strength. Heeding Christ's command to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19), Baptism is to be offered to all, no matter age, sex, or nationality/ethnicity.
In the Sacrament of Holy Communion, our Lord comes to us in a special and direct way, feeding us with His true Body and Blood. Holy Communion is offered every Sunday, and as announced. For more information, please see the relevant sections below.
"And when he [Jesus] had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (John 20:22-23). In Holy Absolution, Jesus has authorized and given the power to forgive sins to the Church. If your conscience is particular burdened, Individual Confession & Absolution is available upon request. Simply contact Pastor Steele to make an appointment.
Liturgical To follow a liturgy - a set, traditional order of worship - is not in opposition to the Bible. In fact, you'll find that Liturgy is all throughout the Scriptures! From Moses and the Israelites worshipping in the Tabernacle in the wilderness, to Solomon and the Temple in Jerusalem, all the way to the scene of heavenly worship we see in the Book of Revelation: liturgical worship is the natural rhythm of the God's People!
Our primary Sunday liturgy is The Divine Service. As the Body of Christ, we gather together as those who have been born again of water and the Spirit through Holy Baptism. As children of the Heavenly Father, we confess our sins and receive the forgiveness of Christ in Holy Absolution. We then hear the Word of God proclaimed in appointed readings, and then explained and applied in the Sermon. Our faith is then strengthened as we receive in Holy Communion the very Body and Blood of Jesus. Having thus been forgiven, taught, and nourished by the Lord, we are blessed and sent out to live holy lives of love and witness in His Name.
At Grace, we follow the traditional liturgical order of the Church. Some parts stay the same every Sunday, while some parts change according the day or season of the Church Year. Grab a bulletin, follow along in the hymnal and, if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask!
The Lord's Supper
What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink.
Where is this written? The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
What is the benefit of this eating and drinking? These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things? Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words written here: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: “forgiveness of sins.”
Who receives this Sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.
Can I receive Holy Communion at Grace?
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very Body and Blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another.
The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Grace Lutheran Church endorse the doctrine of closed communion. Closed communion is the policy of sharing the Lord’s Supper only with those who are baptized and confirmed members of a congregation of the LCMS or one of its sister churches with which it has formally declared altar and pulpit fellowship. Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s Body and Blood unworthily do so to their great harm, and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, we ask visitors to speak with the Pastor before coming to our altar for the first time.
How can I get connected?
Whether you are seeking to be baptized, or to transfer your member to Grace Lutheran, speak with Pastor Steele.
What about my kids?
"Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Kids, just like all people, belong in God's House! Bring them to church! They need Jesus and His Word just as much as you do. If you need to take them out for a little bit, we have a nursery (where you'll still be able to hear the service). And if they get loud, don't worry. The preacher can be louder! Let them come and see, hear and learn, mature and grow up in the Lord.
