About Worship

Worshiping together stands at the center of our life of faith. Through God’s word, water, bread and prayer we are nurtured in faith and sent out into the world. While you may encounter different approaches to worship as you move from one ELCA community to another, we hold certain things in common. Central to our worship life is the presence of God through word and sacrament. The word proclaimed and the sacraments, both Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, are called the means of grace. We believe that Jesus Christ is present in these means through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we describe worship as a “gathering around the means of grace.”

Connected with and central to everything we do, worship unites us in celebration, centers us in prayer and forms us in our faith. It grounds us in our Christian and Lutheran roots, equipping the community to experience the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation.

There is a basic pattern for worship among Lutherans. We gather as God’s people. We encounter God’s word in scripture, preaching and song. We share a meal at Christ’s table. And we are sent into the world for mission and service in daily life. 

Worship is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.