Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

+ What should I expect on a typical Sunday morning at Good Shepherd?

· Going to a new church for the first time can be intimidating and stressful. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is aware of these challenges and we do our best to make people feel welcome.

· You will be greeted by friendly people in a responsible, socially distanced manner. Masks are an individual decision. Hand sanitizer is available at the entrance. Although our pastor may welcome visitors during the service, he will never single you out or make you stand up.

· We follow a liturgical format of worship. Each worship service lasts about an hour. A limited number of worship bulletins are available at the sanctuary entrance; however, the service will also be projected allowing the congregation to easily follow along. During our services you will hear traditional hymns with the occasional contemporary worship song.

· Communion is served every Sunday.

+ Are you affiliated with a particular denomination?

Yes, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS - link at the bottom of the page!). While the LCMS doctrine means we are Christians who worship following the Biblical teaching of our salvation by God’s Grace alone through Faith in Jesus Christ alone as revealed in Scripture alone, we realize that certain of our practices may vary with those of other LCMS congregations and other Christian denominations. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss how the Bible is lived out in our church. Feel free to contact us with your questions.

+ What does being “Lutheran” mean?

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod which holds to a common set of beliefs regarding what the Bible teaches. These beliefs are drawn directly from the Bible (Scripture alone) and summarized in a collection of 16th century reformation writings called the Book of Concord, which is used as a teaching aid of the truths proclaimed in Holy Scripture. You can find more information about the LCMS and Lutheranism at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod website, linked to the left and bottom of the page.

+ Do you have a dress code? What should I wear to Good Shepherd?

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Dress on Sunday morning varies greatly, from business casual and suits to t-shirts, jeans and tennis shoes. We believe that God is more concerned with your heart than what you wear.

+ Do I have to be a Lutheran to attend Good Shepherd?

· No, you do not. No matter your spiritual background – whether you grew up in a non-religious family, in another Christian church body, or even in another religion entirely – we invite you to worship at Good Shepherd and decide whether this faith community will best serve you.

· We are a Christian church. We believe we are justified (have our sins forgiven) due to the grace of God alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture alone. Romans 3:21-28 and Ephesians 2:8-9.

· We do ask all attendees considering membership go through a new member class, which includes those Christian teachings that are distinctively Lutheran in perspective. We want you to have a clear understanding about what we teach before becoming a member.

+ Do I have to be a member to take communion at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church?

· Scripture teaches and we believe that in The Lord’s Supper we receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, along with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith, as stated by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 and 1 Corinthians 10:16.

o 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 3 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

o 1 Corinthians 10:16 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

In communion, we remember (1 Corinthians 11:24 and 25) God’s promises and our Lord’s fulfillment of those promises.

In communion, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

And in communion, we participate in the blood and body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16), the benefits of the forgiveness of our sins and everlasting life provided in his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.

· If you share this faith and understanding, please join us at The Lord’s Table. If you have questions or would like to speak to the Pastor or an Elder, any member can introduce you.

+ What about my children during Sunday worship?

· Children are welcome during worship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Children of ALL ages are welcome in the Sanctuary at all times during our church service. A nursery room is available for your little ones in the event you need to momentarily step out of the service with your child.

· Children are welcome to come up during communion for a blessing from Pastor.