Sunday morning

What happens here on a Sunday

The liturgy is old, the hymns have parts, and the sermon preaches Christ. If you have never been in a Lutheran service, you will not be singled out, asked to introduce yourself, or asked for money.

The Divine Service, in order

  1. Confession and Absolution

    We begin by admitting we have sinned. The pastor then forgives sins in Christ’s stead and by His command. This is not a formality; it is the reason for the rest of the hour.

  2. The Readings

    An Old Testament lesson, an Epistle, and the Gospel, appointed by the historic church year so that over time the whole counsel of God is read aloud, not only the comfortable parts.

  3. The Creed

    The congregation confesses the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed — the same words Christians have used for more than sixteen hundred years.

  4. The Sermon

    Law and Gospel, preached from the text. The point is always Christ crucified for you, not advice for self-improvement.

  5. The Sacrament

    On communion Sundays, the true body and blood of Christ, given under bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins.

  6. The Benediction

    God puts His name on you and sends you home. Coffee follows, and you are expected at it.

The altar dressed in green paraments embroidered HOLY, HOLY, HOLY in gold, with brass candelabra and blue and white flowers behind it
The altar, in the green of the Trinity season
The oak pulpit with a carved cross on its front and a green fall bearing the Chi-Rho with Alpha and Omega
The pulpit

The Sacraments

Where God gives what He promises

The oak baptismal font standing at the front of the nave

Holy Baptism

Baptism is not our promise to God; it is God’s work on us. It gives the forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and grants eternal salvation to all who believe. Because it is God’s work and not ours, we baptize infants — they need what it gives as much as anyone.

To arrange a baptism, speak with the pastor. There is no fee and no waiting list.

The communion vessels set out on the credence table under a lace veil, with the green altar paraments behind

The Lord’s Supper

Christ gives His true body and blood, in with and under the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of sins. Not a symbol, not a memorial only — a gift.

Communion is celebrated on the second and fifth Sundays of the month. We practice close communion, which means we ask guests to speak with the pastor before communing. Please do — he would rather have the conversation than have you wonder.

Why we practice this →

The rest of the week

A congregation that keeps a calendar

Worship times shift with the seasons here. From May through August there is a single later service, because in farm country the summer morning belongs to the fields.

The Advent wreath at Immanuel, three purple candles and one rose lit around the white Christ candle marked with a Chi-Rho, set among poinsettias
Advent
A rough timber cross in the sanctuary draped in purple, with a crown of thorns and an INRI placard lettered in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek
Lent

Sundays, 9:40 AM · September–April

Sunday School & Bible Study

Children and adults study separately before the Divine Service. Newcomers are welcome in the adult class with no preparation at all.

Wednesdays, 5:00 PM

Confirmation class

Young people work through Luther’s Small Catechism with the pastor ahead of confirmation.

Second Monday, 5:30 PM · October–May

JCM Bible class & Worship at the Cross

A monthly evening of instruction and devotional worship shared across the parish.

Wednesdays in Lent, 5:30 PM

Lent and Holy Week

Midweek Lenten services begin on Ash Wednesday and run through Holy Week. Services are carried live on the congregation’s Facebook page for those who cannot travel.

Special services and schedule changes are posted on the congregation’s Facebook page and announced in the bulletin.