What to Expect

In the Divine Service, we first and foremost come to receive from God.  Traditional Lutheran worship focuses on Jesus Christ and what He has done for us and our salvation.  We receive His grace and mercy, then we sing our praises and thanksgiving back to God.  Our services glorify the Lord with hymns, prayers, creeds, and Christ-centered sermons.  In a fast paced, ever changing, turbulent world, we believe that these historic elements act as roots and ground our faith in the unchanging truth of Jesus.  We would be so happy to have you join us to hear of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ!

Communion Policy:  Here at Bethel Lutheran Church, with our church body, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), practice closed communion.  We believe that in the Lord's Supper we are receiving the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26:26-28).  That means that since we believe that in the Lord's Supper, we receive the Lord's True Body and His True Blood.  We also believe that it is possible to receive the Lord's Supper to your spiritual harm if you are unprepared to receive this gift (1 Corinthians 11:29). We care about your spiritual health and desire you to be in a true fellowship with us.  We therefore reserve the supper for those who are baptized and confirmed members of the LCMS.  If you are not a baptized and confirmed member of the LCMS, we welcome you to participate by coming forwards during the distribution with your arms crossed over your chest, and receive a blessing. If this is your first time communing with us, or you believe you should be able to receive the Lord's Supper here, please speak with the pastor beforehand. Note that, if I have not seen you before at the communion rail, I will ask if you are a baptized and confirmed member of this or another LCMS congregation.

 

Pages