Our worship is user-friendly. Our service most resembles a Roman Catholic mass or an Episcopal liturgy. Whatever your background, our service bulletin tells you exactly what's going on so you can participate at whatever level you are comfortable.

​

Homilies expand on the readings for the day, usually focusing on the gospel, and its relevance to contemporary lives, issues and struggles. They show how ancient texts have meaning for today.

​

Our services use organ, keyboard and, occasionally, guitar, and rhythm instruments. Most often we sing traditional hymns--supplemented with other styles, particularly when they reflect the scriptures and themes for a given Sunday. 

​

Each Sunday, worship in Word and Sacrament is at 10:15 am (9:00 am from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Wednesday evening services are offered at 7:00 pm during Advent, Lent and other special times in the Church Year. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday and at other worship services.

 

We’re  formal and informal.  Our liturgy involves robes and processions. There is a sense of tradition blended with warmth and openness to contemporary life. A few folks dress up a little, especially at Christmas and Easter, but most of us dress casually, some in jeans, so you wear what makes you comfortable. Got tattoos and piercings? A few of us do, too. When we say, "Come as you are," we really mean it; you'll fit right in!

​

As mentioned above, Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday. Lutherans believe in the Real Presence: the bread and wine are the Body and Blood of Christ. We take communion in both kinds, bread and wine. Many people drink from a common cup (chalice), which illustrates our oneness as the Body of Christ; others prefer to take one of the communion packets or individual cups, but the wine and non-alcoholic wine in them is consecrated along with the wine in the flagon and cup. All baptized believers are welcome at the Lord’s Table without exception, including children.

​

• A blessing is provided for infants and children who have not already celebrated their First Communion, or for anyone, child or adult, who has not yet been baptized, or who prefers that option. If you wish to receive a blessing, simply cross your arms over your chest.
• Please make sure that any children in your care understand what to do so Pastor will know whether to commune or bless them (he may ask anyway; we don't want anyone to be left out, or to feel stressed).
• If you or your child need a gluten free wafer, let Pastor know. If you prefer the non-alcoholic wine option, the individual cups with white wine are alcohol free. There are also alcohol free Communion packets.
• If it is difficult for you to come up to commune or you just prefer to remain in your seat, please take a pre-packaged bread and wine available in the narthex when you arrive. The usher can assist you. Pastor will tell you when to commune. Dispose of the used packet in the bowl provided in the narthex when you leave.
• For those unable to consume either wine or bread, rest assured that Communion is received fully in either element alone.

​​​

At MLC, we practice continuous Communion. After the Communion assistants have communed and are in place with Pastor to serve you, step into the center aisle and come forward. Make the sign of the cross, cradle your hands, and Pastor will place a wafer in your palm while saying "This is the body of Christ, given for you." You may respond "Amen," and commune. Then proceed to the chalice held by the Assisting Minister or take an individual cup from the tray held by a communion assistant. The red wine is alcoholic; white wine is non-alcoholic. Cross yourself as the Assisting Minister says "This is the blood of Christ, shed for you." Say "Amen" and drink. Baskets are placed at the end of the front pews for used individual cups.  

​​

​