Location
and Time
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church meets to
receive God grace in Word and Sacrament on Sunday mornings at 1592 SE
Floresta Dr. next to Floresta Centre (Cumberland Farms).
At 9AM, we begin our Sunday School.
Sunday School is open to children beginning at age four; although
the exact age can vary if an individual child is ready to begin. Our
adult class also meets at this time.
At 10AM, our
Service begins. (the Service is described more fully below).
Afterwards, we have a time for fellowship. We have coffee, snacks, and
drinks available. Please take this time to make new friends or find
old ones.
Dress
How should you dress at church? The way in which we
dress in order to meet someone says something about the way we view that
person. If the president of the United States were coming to our
house, we would probably have enough respect for the office (regardless of
who happens to hold it at the moment) that we would attempt to look
respectable. The same would apply if we were attending a wedding of a
friend, or a professional luncheon. What we wear in certain situations
says we respect the person we are visiting enough to present ourselves
respectably.
God sets aside an entire commandment (the 2nd) for the purpose of protecting the honor of His Name. To make His Name ordinary or casual would be to cause people to consider ordinary and casual the One Who holds that Name. To dress casually in the presence of the Lord is to say that we are going to meet someone less important than God - even less important than many people.
Some churches encourage
casual dress because they think it is what people want to do. It
reminds them of the comforts of home.
But we aren't at home when we are at church. We are in the presence of
God. We are before Him confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness.
We are receiving His grace that He promises in His Word and Sacrament.
We are coming before Him with the utmost respect. We show respect by
dressing respectfully.
Sunday
Worship
Each week the service is printed in the
worship folder, which you will receive when you arrive. The pastor
will direct you to the page numbers in the pew Bible if you would like to
follow along. You are welcome to bring along your own Bible and follow
along there if you choose.
Our services focus on readings from the Bible
where we hear God talk to us. Music and singing are an important part
of our services too. Loud or soft, in monotone or rich harmony, all
our praises are music to God as we respond to hearing of his grace in His
Word. Out of love for all souls, we practice CLOSE COMMUNION.
When will they take the
offering?" "How will it be collected?" "How much am I expected
to give?" "Do they want visitors to contribute too?" These are
typical worries about church offerings.
God requires His people to return a portion to Him of what He has given to a
person. He requires this of us for our own good. In bringing
offerings, we are made to acknowledge that God has given us everything we
have; to reflect on our thankfulness; and to be reminded of our continuing
trust in God to provide everything we need. Like most Christians, our
members bring offerings to God through their church. Since offerings
are gifts of love for God, no one dictates what each person is to give.
We pass an offering plate during the service so that our worship may include
bringing gifts to God. Offering envelopes are available and keep our
gifts a private matter known only to God. We look to Christ and his
love to motivate us in our giving - whether it is a child putting in coins
or an adult writing out a check.
You may wish at first to learn more about our church and our ministry before
bringing your offerings to God through our church. But you are welcome
to participate as your heart leads you to give.
We encourage parents of young children to begin with their children of an early age the good habit of attending worship service. Most of young families sit near the back, and make use of the "cry room" off the sanctuary during tough mornings. The service can be heard by means of a speaker system in the room.
