Sundays — What to Expect at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

As a Visitor: You will not be asked to stand up or announce anything about yourself during service. However, you may be greeted and welcomed by any number of our church family. There are greeters at the door as you enter on Sunday morning; they can help you find your way. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have. When you enter the sanctuary you will be greeted and handed a bulletin that will give you any information you may need to participate in the worship service. The whole service is also displayed on the screen. It will also include some weekly announcements and information about other events in which you may want to get involved. There are welcome cards in the pew racks for you to fill out some information, which can be placed in the offering plate when it is passed during service. We do not sell your personal information and will not contact you without your permission. This simply helps us know a little more about how you found us and allows us to send you a welcome note during the week.

Dress: We have no dress code. Feel free to wear suits or jeans — whatever makes you most comfortable as you worship God.

Parking and Entrance, Accessibility: We have a parking lot close to the main church entrance. There is a handicap space available close to the rear entrance of the building. Our church building is equipped with handicap-accessible bathroom stalls and an elevator for your convenience.

Worship Services: There is no “typical” worship service at Gloria Dei, but overall each service is about an hour in length and includes announcements, a time to welcome one another in the pews, uplifting worship music, prayers, an optional monetary offering, Scripture reading, and a Bible-based message that’s relevant to your life. As a Lutheran church in the Missouri Synod we also observe a time of private and general confession of sins followed by a pronouncement of Christ’s forgiveness to us through God’s word. We also usually celebrate Holy Communion together on the first, third, and fifth Sundays of each month.

Communion: We believe that God gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but his very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with him and with one another. Our Lord invites to his table those who trust his words, repent of all sin, and forgive others as we have first been forgiven. You are welcome to become a member. More information about the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is available here: www.lcms.org/about/beliefs

Children and Youth: We really love kids at Gloria Dei. During worship services there are children’s bulletins with fun, age-appropriate activities corresponding to the sermon—simply ask an usher. We also have a quiet nursing room in the back of the sanctuary available for moms to care for little ones while still participating in the service.

Church Membership: There is no pressure to become a member; you are always welcome to worship here, participate in any of our activities and attend any Bible studies. We offer “membership exploration” classes where you can learn more about Gloria Dei, and we encourage you to come and learn even if you do not intend to become a church member. Topics include faith, prayer, the Bible and Lutheran theology. Membership of our church is a choice and commitment, which we want you to make only when the time is right for you. Contact the Church office.

Baptisms: If you would like to talk to us further, please fill in the Baptism Form and email it to the office. info@gloriadeilcms.org

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. — Psalm 150:6