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Welcome to First English Lutheran Church!
We welcome you no matter your prior experiences in church or regardless of what you believe about church and Christianity all together. In case you’re interested, however, here’s a quick description of the principles that guide our theology and worship.
Tips for Worship
Tip #1: The structure or form of our worship is called the liturgy. Liturgies can vary according to format, feel, and musical style, but basically all the liturgies we use in our church are divided into 4 parts that enact the drama of faith.
· The Gathering—The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
· The Word—God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
· The Meal—God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
· The Sending—God blesses us and sends us out in mission to the world.
What we do in worship works to train and equip us for ministry outside our church walls.
Tip #2: Some of the text in your bulletin or hymnals is in bold. You are invited to speak these parts with the community. The Pastor will otherwise keep you up to speed as to where we're at throughout the service.
Tip #3: You are not expected to put money in the offering basket. We thank you if you choose to do so because it helps us do ministry. You can inquire about our budget at any time.
Tip #4: You are welcomed and encouraged to participate in communion at this church, no matter your background or disposition during the service. It is Christ’s table, and Christ welcomes all.
Tip #5: We have gluten-free bread and grape juice per your request during communion. If you would like to bring communion to your loved ones at home, let us know.
Tip #6: When in doubt, ask the pastor or an usher for help. And make sure to pick up a welcome packet and fill out a welcome card so we can be in touch with you!
Lutheran Principles
Principle #1: We cannot love until we have first experienced love.
Principle #2: Fortunately, God’s love is freely given to us without precondition or requirement through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Principle #3: The experience that God really does love us is called faith. Faith is not a prerequisite for God’s love; faith is a gift from God.
Principle #4: Having experienced God’s love, we respond with love to both God and our neighbor through acts of service.
Principle #5: However, as humans we continually doubt and forget that God really does love us unconditionally, which in turn makes it difficult to love others. So we constantly return to our church, where we hear the good news of God’s love.
Principle #6: Lutherans celebrate 2 sacraments: Baptism and Communion. A sacrament is essentially a religious ceremony or act of the church that is regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual divine grace. During baptism and in the bread and wine, Christ comes to us and is truly present. We do not need to go in search of God. Thanks to Jesus, we always know that God is with us—seeking us out and loving us as we are for who we are. The same is true regarding communion. For us, Christ shows up in the bread and wine; when we commune Christ nourishes us to go forth to love and serve our neighbor and those in need.
Why We Love Worship
Reason#1: Worship is where we come to hear about God’s love, not earn it.
Reason #2: Nothing is required of you in worship. If you don’t feel comfortable saying or doing something, you don’t have to do it.
Reason #3: Nothing is prohibited from you in worship. You are invited to participate in any part of the service you choose.
Reason #4: When we worship, we also gather to support and uphold one another in love. We catch up, we listen for concerns, we pray for those in need, and we offer all we can in service to God and one another.
We hope you will join us! We look forward to welcoming you!
Most of the information above was written by the University Lutheran Chapel in Berkeley, CA and amended with permission. Thanks ULC!
Welcome to First English Lutheran Church!
We welcome you no matter your prior experiences in church or regardless of what you believe about church and Christianity all together. In case you’re interested, however, here’s a quick description of the principles that guide our theology and worship.
Tips for Worship
Tip #1: The structure or form of our worship is called the liturgy. Liturgies can vary according to format, feel, and musical style, but basically all the liturgies we use in our church are divided into 4 parts that enact the drama of faith.
· The Gathering—The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
· The Word—God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
· The Meal—God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
· The Sending—God blesses us and sends us out in mission to the world.
What we do in worship works to train and equip us for ministry outside our church walls.
Tip #2: Some of the text in your bulletin or hymnals is in bold. You are invited to speak these parts with the community. The Pastor will otherwise keep you up to speed as to where we're at throughout the service.
Tip #3: You are not expected to put money in the offering basket. We thank you if you choose to do so because it helps us do ministry. You can inquire about our budget at any time.
Tip #4: You are welcomed and encouraged to participate in communion at this church, no matter your background or disposition during the service. It is Christ’s table, and Christ welcomes all.
Tip #5: We have gluten-free bread and grape juice per your request during communion. If you would like to bring communion to your loved ones at home, let us know.
Tip #6: When in doubt, ask the pastor or an usher for help. And make sure to pick up a welcome packet and fill out a welcome card so we can be in touch with you!
Lutheran Principles
Principle #1: We cannot love until we have first experienced love.
Principle #2: Fortunately, God’s love is freely given to us without precondition or requirement through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Principle #3: The experience that God really does love us is called faith. Faith is not a prerequisite for God’s love; faith is a gift from God.
Principle #4: Having experienced God’s love, we respond with love to both God and our neighbor through acts of service.
Principle #5: However, as humans we continually doubt and forget that God really does love us unconditionally, which in turn makes it difficult to love others. So we constantly return to our church, where we hear the good news of God’s love.
Principle #6: Lutherans celebrate 2 sacraments: Baptism and Communion. A sacrament is essentially a religious ceremony or act of the church that is regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual divine grace. During baptism and in the bread and wine, Christ comes to us and is truly present. We do not need to go in search of God. Thanks to Jesus, we always know that God is with us—seeking us out and loving us as we are for who we are. The same is true regarding communion. For us, Christ shows up in the bread and wine; when we commune Christ nourishes us to go forth to love and serve our neighbor and those in need.
Why We Love Worship
Reason#1: Worship is where we come to hear about God’s love, not earn it.
Reason #2: Nothing is required of you in worship. If you don’t feel comfortable saying or doing something, you don’t have to do it.
Reason #3: Nothing is prohibited from you in worship. You are invited to participate in any part of the service you choose.
Reason #4: When we worship, we also gather to support and uphold one another in love. We catch up, we listen for concerns, we pray for those in need, and we offer all we can in service to God and one another.
We hope you will join us! We look forward to welcoming you!
Most of the information above was written by the University Lutheran Chapel in Berkeley, CA and amended with permission. Thanks ULC!