Markham Lutheran Church: Baptized to serve.
What to Expect at Worship
Markham Lutheran uses a liturgy based on ancient patterns and rituals: a feast for mind, body and soul. It is ecumenical yet distinctively Lutheran.
Our services are multisensory. We experience God’s presence through the bodily senses and all that it means to be human. We delight in God’s beauty through seeing symbols such as cross and candles and the colors in the windows above the altar, banners, paraments and flowers; tasting bread and wine; smelling flowers and sometimes incense; hearing scripture, music and silence; clasping hands as we share the peace; and using our bodies to cross ourselves, kneel, stand, sit, bow and process.
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Our liturgies are also contemplative. In the midst of busy urban life and near-constant connection to cell phones and computers, we treasure some time away to gather in sacred space for silence and reflection.
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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.
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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.
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Our services use organ, keyboard and, occasionally, guitar, and rhythm instruments. Most often we sing traditional hymns, supplemented with other styles, that reflect the scriptures and themes for the day.
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Each Sunday, worship in Word and Sacrament (Holy Communion) is at 10:15 a.m. (9:00 a.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Ash Wednesday, Advent and Lenten Wednesday evening prayer services, and Holy Week services are held at 7:00 p.m. Our Christmas Eve service is at 10 p.m.
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We’re formal and informal. Our liturgy involves robes and processions, but we're not "stuffy." Passing the Peace brings many of us out in the aisles and takes at least five minutes! 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!
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Lutherans believe in the Real Presence: the bread and wine are the Body and Blood of Christ. At our family meal we take communion in both kinds, bread and wine. Many people drink from the common cup (chalice); others prefer to take one of the individual cups, but the wine and non-alcoholic wine in them is consecrated along with the wine in the flagon and cup.
​​​​If you are a first-time visitor, please speak with Pastor about taking Holy Communion at MLC before the service begins. He'll probably be greeting folks in the narthex or nave when you arrive. If you don't spot him, one of the ushers will be glad to find him for you.
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