Greeters will welcome you as you arrive and answer any questions you might have. You are welcome to stop at the Welcome Center and pick up brochures, maps, and register for special events or opportunities.

Worship is the center from which the rest of our Christian life flows. Inspiration, spiritual nourishment, participation in the sacraments, community belonging, intergenerational connections and intellectual challenge are all part of worship, but placing God first in genuine Spirit-filled worship is what we're about. If you would like to worship alongside others who are daily seeking to follow Jesus Christ, or if you just want to explore what Jesus might mean to you, please join us.

8:15am Traditional Worship - Our traditional service is liturgically based and includes music from the Lutheran liturgy as well as great hymns of the faith, led on the organ. We have adopted the new Lutheran Service Book in our worship. Each week we hear from God's Word in the message and learn how it pertains to us in our 21st century lives. Click here to see how other musical groups help lead this service.

11:00am Blended/Contemporary Worship - Our 11:00 service alternates between a Blended service on 1^st and 3^rd Sundays and a Contemporary service on 2^nd, 4^th, and 5^th Sundays. Both services focus on authentically worshiping God with excellence and inspiring others to do so. In the Blended service you will experience new music, as well as new arrangements of classic praise songs and hymns, led on piano. The Contemporary service, led by the worship band Promise, is filled with spirited, uplifting, and thought provoking songs - some you may know from contemporary Christian radio and some which are original to Promise, written by the very creative pen of Bryan VanderHill. The Biblical message is the same as that given in the Traditional Worship.

Click here to see how other musical groups help lead these services.

PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION

The Miracle of the Sacrament

The Scriptures teach and we believe that something unexplainable occurs between God and His people in the sharing of Holy Communion. In, with, and under the bread and wine, the Lord offers His Body and Blood to strengthen the faith of believing Christians. I Corinthians 10:16; 11:27 Those who receive the Sacrament in faith receive what Christ promised,"...the remission of sins." Matthew 26:28, John 6:53 - 58 We request that only those who accept and understand the following basic truths share with us in the privilege of the Sacrament.

WE BELIEVE

+We need God's forgiveness for "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

+God in His love sent His Son to pay the price for our sins on the Cross, and the "blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin".

+True repentance from sin is a necessary part of proper preparation for the Sacrament as Scripture declares, "a man ought to examine himself before he eats the bread and drinks of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself."

+Holy Communion is the tangible assurance that we have been forgiven for the Word promises, "the Body of Christ is given for you".

+The Risen Christ is Really Present in the Sacrament, and with the Bread and Wine we receive His True Body and Blood.

Communion Tips - Rail Communion: Communion flow starts at the front of the center railing. Please kneel as soon as you arrive at the railing. The first person to arrive at the railing is the first to leave the railing after being dismissed by the communion assistant. Individual cups (if chosen) may be left in baskets on the way back to your seat.

Line Communion: After receiving Christ's Body & Blood, the Altar railing is available for those who would like to spend some time in prayer prior to returning to their seats.

Ask an usher if you have any questions.

Register Your Attendance -

During worship, an attendance pad will be passed. We encourage you to fill out contact information so that we can pass on to you a packet of information about Messiah and some small gifts.

Special Needs - Please ask an usher for assistance

• Handicapped Seating is available in designated areas in the sanctuary
• Large Print Bulletins are available upon request
• Hearing Assist headphones are available upon request
• An Emergency Kit is located on the wall beside the men's restroom

is available during morning worship and during Sunday School for infants and children through age 2. The nursery is located down the educational wing in room #1. Parents are required to check in and out and pagers are available for parents who wish to remain in contact with the nursery.

Children -

are a vital part of our worship and we encourage them to participate. Activity bags are available at the entryway (ask a greeter if you need assistance) which contain quiet Biblical activites suited for preschool and early elementary ages. A children's bulletin is also available from the usher during the 8:15 service and every fifth Sunday, the children will be invited forward for a Children's Message. There is a Children's Message each Sunday during the 11:00 service in which the younger children are invited to the front of the sanctuary for a short message prepared just for them. It will often involve use of props or activities to reinforce the Biblical message. Upon conclusion, the children will be given a children's bulletin and those aged 3 to 5 will be encouraged to attend Children's Church, in the educational wing. Children will be ushered back to their parents prior to Holy Communion.