WORSHIP

Our worship schedule

We gather for Sunday worship at 7:45 and 10:15 am. (Sunday Church School is held at 9:00am.) We celebrate Holy Communion regularly on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the months and on festival days. The Christmas Eve Family worship (7:00pm) and Candlelight worship (10:00pm) include Holy Communion. Midweek worship is held on Thanksgiving Eve and during the season of Lent and Holy Week at 7:30pm.

Worship is the center of congregational life at St. Luke, gathering around God's Word and sacraments. The liturgical traditional of the Lutheran church grounds us, the Revised Common Lectionary (the calendar of scripture readings) guides us and a rich musical repertoire of worship settings and music frees us to praise God and proclaim the gospel. Members participate actively as leaders of worship and hospitality.

Communion

Holy Communion is celebrated regularly on the 1st and 3rd Sundays monthly and on festival days. Baptized Christians who receive the sacrament in their home congregations are welcome to receive it here. First Communion classes are offered during the season of Lent for elementary-age children. We use bread, wafers and wine and we utilize several methods of distribution (by common cup, individual glasses and sometimes intinction).

Worship resources

We use Evangelical Lutheran Worship and With One Voice. Weekly bulletins contain the entire worship other than the hymns.

Child-friendly worship and nursery

Children are welcome at worship. We welcome them to witness every Baptism and invite them to come forward for “a time for children” each Sunday at 10:15am worship. Adult volunteers staff a nursery at 10:15 for infants through pre-school.

Music

The congregation sings! Vocal choirs (Cherub, Youth, Adult), a Hand Bell Choir, and soloists and mini-ensembles, all enhance the experience of the good news. The congregation embraces a wide range of musical styles.

Cherub Choir: Directed by Valerie Schlegel, preschool to early elementary school children rehearse Tuesdays at 6:30pm and sing in worship regularly throughout the school year.

Youth Choir: Directed by Deborah Matthews, elementary school children rehearse weekly on Wednesdays at 6:30pm and also sing regularly in worship throughout the school year.

Bell Choir: Directed by Valerie Schlegel, the three-octave adult bell choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30pm and rings monthly in worship throughout the school year.

Adult Choir: Directed by Deborah Matthews, the SATB choir (including older youth) rehearses Wednesdays at 7:30pm and sings weekly throughout the school year.

Vocalists and instrumentalists add a welcome dimension to our praise and reflection on God’s Word throughout the year, especially during the summer months when the choirs do not meet regularly.

Offering

We give because God has first given to us… our very lives, daily bread, relationships of friendship and love, the Church of Jesus Christ, God’s own Spirit, countless blessings. We encourage grateful, regular, proportionate and joyful giving. Offerings support the ministry of the congregation and the work of the whole ELCA and the church around the world.

On our way rejoicing

Our worship expresses itself in faithful living and joyful serving throughout the week. At home and in community, at work and play, through studies and prayer, we are freed to live in God’s amazing grace, to respond to Christ’s call to love our neighbor, and to employ the Spirit’s gifts as stewards of creation.