1. What is the liturgy?
Liturgy (meaning “work of the people”) is what we do when we gather to worship. The chief liturgy of Lutherans is the Holy Communion, the weekly Lord’s Day event when we 1) hear the reading and proclamation of Scripture and 2) act out the Gospel in the ritual drama of a meal. We believe that God acts in our words and in our ritual drama making the Gospel happen.
Here’s a wonderful visual that gives a very interesting and easy-to-understand response to this question (click on image to see full size):
2. I am disabled. Will I be accommodated?
We are a disability-friendly church and offer various types of assistance:
- We are wheelchair-accessible. There are no stairs at our front entrance and our entire church is one level. Wheelchairs and walkers are available inside the door for your use.
- Large print bulletins are available.
- Hearing assist devices are available.
Ushers and other volunteers are available to provide you with any assistance you need.
3. I’ve never received communion before. Will I be invited? What can I expect?
All are welcome to receive communion, regardless of your background. It is celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at both services. We say “celebrate” because communion is a holy time of worship when we come together as one body to remember and celebrate what Christ did for us.
This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24
During communion, all are invited to the front via the center aisle, row by row, to receive the bread and wine, symbols of the body and blood of Christ. You may take an empty glass to receive wine, or a glass pre-filled with grape juice (gluten-free wafers are also available in place of the bread), and gather around the front of the altar. You will receive bread with the words “The body of Christ, given for you” and wine with the words “The blood of Christ, shed for you.” When you’re ready, you may return to your seat. Hymns are also sung during this time.
In observing communion we are proclaiming His death until He comes. It is, then, a statement of faith:
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26
What are your questions? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at office@holynativity.net, visit our Contact Us page or join us for worship!