What To Expect

Rooted in Liturgy and Beauty

Word & Sacrament

Every service centers on hearing God’s Word and receiving His grace through Holy Communion. At the Lord’s Table, we come not to perform, but to receive Christ’s body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins.

Scripture & Prayer

The readings and prayers of the church follow the seasons of the church year, connecting us to the story of salvation. We listen to Scripture, trusting that through it, God still speaks today.

Music & Praise

Music at Messiah blends beauty and depth — from hymnody and organ-led worship to modern praise songs and orchestral pieces. In every style, our goal is the same: to lift our voices together in response to God’s grace.

How To Follow Along

As you enter, you’ll receive two folders: a worship folder with announcements, a message outline, and a one-page outline of the service, and a order of worship with the complete service printed out. Everything is also projected on the screen. The congregation stands and sits at different times, and the pastor will guide you.

Traditional Service

1

Before the Service

As you enter the sanctuary, the organ will be playing a Prelude.

2

Welcome & Greeting

The service opens with welcome and announcements, followed by the Sharing of the Peace. This is an opportunity to greet those around you. You can wave or shake hands, and some even move around and hug those they know. The people near you may introduce themselves. Do whatever is comfortable for you.

3

Opening Hymn

Printed in your bulletin and projected on the screen.

4

Invocation and Confession

The pastor opens the service in the name of the triune God and leads the congregation in confession. The pastor and congregation read short verses in turn, with a brief time of silence for reflection. Afterwards, the pastor announces God’s forgiveness.

5

Introit

The pastor and congregation take turns reading a psalm aloud.

6

Liturgical Singing

In most traditional services, we sing portions of Scripture or historic prayers set to music. This may include the Kyrie (a plea for God’s mercy), a Hymn of Praise, and the Salutation (“The Lord be with you”).

7

Service of the Word (Scripture Readings)

We hear three readings from the Bible—the Old Testament, the Epistles (New Testament letters), and the Gospel (events during Jesus’ time on earth). There’s a short response after each reading. Those who are able stand for the Gospel reading out of respect for the words of Jesus.

8

The Creed

We recite one of the historic creeds of the church—a summary of what Christians have professed for centuries. We alternate between the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.

9

Children's Message

All children are invited to come forward. The pastor talks directly to them and leads them in prayer, which the congregation prays as well.

10

Sermon Hymn

The words often point to the topic of the message.

11

The Message

The sermon usually lasts 12-15 minutes. An outline is included in your worship folder.

11

Voluntary

After the message, we listen to the voluntary, an offering of special music, while the congregation prepares their hearts for Holy Communion. The musicians are participating in worship, so we don’t applaud. Offerings are no longer collected during the service, but you may place them in the plate as you enter or leave.

12

Prayers

The pastor offers prayers for members of the congregation, their friends and family, government leaders, the community, and any current tragedies.

13

Preparing for Communion

We pray and sing together, including the Preface, the Sanctus (Lord you are Holy), the Prayer of Thanksgiving, and The Lord’s Prayer. As the pastor prepares the bread and wine for communion, he recites the Words of Institution, which signify that the bread and wine are both the visible elements and the body and blood of Jesus.

14

Receiving Communion

The Agnus Dei is sung, and the congregation is ushered to the front from the center aisle. A green card in the pew explains the sacrament, and you can come forward as you wish. Children and those with questions can receive a blessing. After receiving the elements at the bottom of the stairs, you may kneel for prayer or return your cup and file back to your seat by the side aisle.

15

After Communion

After all have received Communion, we sing the Post-Communion Canticle, pray the Post-Communion Prayer, and then receive the Benediction (blessing) from the pastor.

16

Closing

We sing a Closing Hymn. The organist plays a Postlude as the congregation disperses.

Contemporary Service

The contemporary service includes the same main elements in a simpler format with less liturgy and modern music led by a live band.

  • Opening Worship Song
  • Welcome / Announcements / Greeting of Peace
  • Confession
  • Word of Forgiveness
  • Scripture Readings, Creed
  • Children’s Message
  • Message
  • Voluntary
  • Prayers
  • Communion Distribution
  • Communion Blessing
  • Sending
  • Song of Sending

FAQ

What type of church are you?

We’re part of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Our faith centers on Jesus Christ—His life, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. We hold to historic Christian truths while living them out today. We believe God is active through His Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, and that His grace changes lives. For more on our beliefs, visit lcms.org.

Will I feel out of place if I don’t know what to do?

Not at all. Everything is printed or projected, so you’ll know when to stand, sit, sing, and pray. It’s also okay to simply listen. For a full walkthrough of what happens during a service, see our What To Expect page.

What happens in a typical service?

Each service includes Scripture readings, prayer, a message from the pastor, music, and Holy Communion. Traditional and contemporary services share the same message and structure, expressed through different styles of music.

What’s available for my kids?

Kids join adults in worship. We love having families together on Sunday mornings! Each service includes a children’s message, and nursery care is available if you need it. You are welcome to stay with your children in the nursery and watch the service on the monitor there.

What’s your church’s view on communion?

We believe that the body and blood of Jesus are mysteriously yet truly present in our celebration of the Lord’s Supper, in, with, and under the bread and wine. The same Jesus who died on the cross and rose on the third day and who sits at the right hand of the Father is also with us in this meal to strengthen our faith, cover us in forgiveness and make us certain of our salvation.

The Lord’s Supper (also known as Holy Communion or the Eucharist) is a family meal, meant to be celebrated and received by those who are baptized into the Christian faith and who, as Paul commends in the New Testament, have an understanding of Jesus’ presence in the meal. (1 Cor. 11:28-29)

There is a summary of our Church’s Communion practice on a green card in your worship folder and in the pew rack. If you have further questions, please speak with our Pastor – he’d love to answer your questions!

At Messiah Lutheran, communion is celebrated each week.

What should I wear?

You’ll see everything from jeans to Sunday best. There’s no dress code. Just come as you are and join us in worship.

Any More Questions?

If you have questions about worship or want to know more, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Us