My first visit to a Lutheran church

[contriteheart]

Well, today I made my first visit to a Lutheran (ELCA) church. It was, I must admit, under rather unusual circumstances.

My husband and I are members of a United Methodist church. We both feel that this is where God would have us be at this time. However, I miss the depth of liturgy, and most especially the weekly communion that is found in some other denominations. Communion has become profoundly important to me lately, and at this juncture, our UMC only offers the sacrament once a month.

So since I knew that I would be welcome to commune at an ELCA church, I decided to go visit during the early service, and then attend a later service at our UMC with my husband.

It was wonderful. The liturgy was powerful and beautiful, the people were warm, the sermon was outstanding, and I was so very, very thankful to be warmly received at the Lord's table. We had a wonderful service at our UMC this morning, as well.

So I'm thinking about going to visit the Lutheran pastor this week and ask him if it would be okay for me to attend and commune regularly, while still remaining a member of our UMC and attending there weekly, as well.

What I hate about this is that I won't have much to offer to the Lutheran church in coming. As a member of the UMC, I have pledged to give of my time, service, and offerings there, and I don't feel that I can split myself between the two as far as those things go. I would pretty much be a regular visitor - thankful for the opportunity just to attend and commune on Sunday mornings.

Do you think this would be inappropriate? Of course, if the pastor objects, I would not do so, but I'm interested to see how other ELCA members might feel about such a thing.

I've already had a run-in of sorts with conservative LCMS/WELS Lutherans over the issue of communion, so I'm not really looking for their input at this time. I am primarily interested in the thoughts of ELCA members, since that is what this church is.

Thank you so much for receiving me this morning at the Lord's table. It was a wonderful blessing! :)

Your sister in Christ,
Grace

[contriteheart]

Wow, eighteen views and not a single response! You all seem to not be a very opinionated bunch. ;)

Either that, or the folks who have been viewing this thread are primarily LCMS/WELS members who are kindly honoring my request to limit responses to ELCA members only (thank you if that is the case).

Or I suppose it could be that you guys are just way too polite to tell me that you would really rather I not hang around. :)


-Grace

[doulos_tou_kuriou]

I'll give a little input, though I'm not sure if it is in any way what you are looking for.

I think the Pastor should have complete delight that you crave the supper regularly and try to accomidate.

It is theologically wrong for them to object because you cannot contribute money-wise. The grace we find in the table is a free gift.

I appreciate your concern that you feel like "taking" without "giving" if I may (that's if I understand this all correctly). Naturally, Paul tells us all to examine ourselves as to our readiness to approach the sacrament. Luther's Catechism states that "A person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: 'Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins'" And remember that communion and liturgy as a whole will embody you in full participation with the congregation.
The only thing that might come up is if all you desire is in the Lutheran church, the pastor might explore why you're still UMC (not that I or he/she would be against that, but it might come up). But it seems to me that you seem well prepared to partake in the sacrament and that if the pastor and his/her church can help serve you in your faith life they should do all they can.

We always welcome help and of course offerings (spiritual and financial) but it mustn't be a requirement. My prayer is that all goes well and that the ELCA can help in your faith journey and your life as a member of the body of Christ.
Just also keep in mind how many people are members there and do nothing but show up on Sunday.

Hope this was more help than rambling! Peace be with you.

[stumpjumper]

Since ELCA and UMC are in full communion, I don't think there is anything wrong with attending both regularly, and communing at both regularly, for a period of time. One thing you might want to ask about is how that individual parish views "Covenenting" within the Church.

Obviously, the ideal route would be to select one Church and denomination to dedicate your membership, time, and resources as even though ELCA and UMC are in full communion they do recognize that there are still theological differences between the denominations...

I certainly don't see anything wrong with attending and communing regularly without becoming a member but maybe eventually you will find that your gifts would be better used by the ELCA Church...

The Spirit blows where it will :)

[KagomeShuko]

I see nothing wrong with this - and if this ELCA church is as welcoming as most of the ELCA churches I've visited, they'll be happy to have you as a regular visitor. We have some of those at times (they don't tend to come EVERY Sunday but a lot of them).

We love to have them and are glad to have the commune - and we invite them to commune, letting them know that they are very welcome to do so, as it is not our place to judge their hearts.

Now, of course, you may get a lot of people asking you (usually jokingly) when you're going to become a member.

The Spirit will lead where He wants you - and maybe you really DO have something to offer both congregations - but you just don't know it yet!

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[Melethiel]

There was a guy at my church who was a regular visitor for 20 years before joining. ^_^

[contriteheart]

Thank you all for your kind replies. :)

I went back again today, and was very, very blessed! I have an appointment with the pastor this week, so hopefully he will be okay with my continued attendance.

Thanks again for your help.

-Grace

[stumpjumper]

Nope.

We're just a bunch of Lutherans waiting for the pot-luck :D

[contriteheart]

Well, I guess I'm a bit of a closet Lutheran now! I spoke with the pastor of the church, and he was very welcoming. I also told one of the pastors of my UMC, along with my home group that I am co-attending a Lutheran church in addition to ours.

I'm still reading Luther. I haven't quite figured you guys out yet, but I'm working on it as fast as I can. ;)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your warm hospitality at the Lord's table. It means a great deal to me! :hug:

-Grace

[stumpjumper]

:)

[doulos_tou_kuriou]

If you're reading Luther to "figure us out" I would recommend the small catechism and Augsburg Confession. If you're looking for a good read from Luther, I would definitely recommend "On Christian Liberty" otherwise possibly titled/translated "Freedom of a Christian".

But I am really glad to hear that it worked out well. I think it was also really good of you to inform your UMC pastor too. Very good. Peace be with you.

[5stringJeff]

I'd like to hijack this thread, if I may...

I had my first visit to a Lutheran church last Sunday. It is an ELCA church, though I'm not too smart on the differences between the various Lutheran churches. Anyway, it was a traditional service, and I absolutely loved it! I was a bit surprised with communion, though - I wasn't expecting real wine, and neither were my wife or daughter! :) But I really enjoyed the liturgy, and the communion, and the prayers, the Nicene creed, even the short sermon! It was a real blessing. Thought I'd let you guys know! :thumbsup:

Jeff

[svdbygrace]

I also made a visit to a ELCA parish last weekend for a evening prayer service for Advent (hymns, readings, and a short devotional/meditation). It was a great service, and I plan on visiting again in the future. :)

[TheCosmicGospel]

YYY,

I have fallen between the cracks in my membership right now. My good brothers of the LCMS have cast me out. We have tried all the others and have not found a good match. It sounds like you have made one. So your post makes me envious in a way. You have really connected it seems to me. Hope it works out. I have not found a preacher that can honestly preach. so when you find one, keep him.

Peace and Joy,
Cosmic

We are to serve God, not solve God - Cosmic

[Willy]

or her!

[BabyLutheran]

I visited an ELCA church today while my wife and daughter were away visiting her parents. I enjoyed the liturgy, it was very similar to the Catholic and Episcopal liturgies I experienced when visiting them too. I am trying to find a church where my wife will attend with me. She refuses RC, and is leery of the EC. My main point is I insist on the real prescence of Christ in the Eucharist, and there aren't many churches left that belive that. My wife and I both started at, and attended Happy Clappy nondenomination churches for a long time. In the past couple of years, we haven't attended church hardly at all because I feel drawn to more liturgical and traditional services. Hopefully next week, she will attend the Lutheran church with me, I really enjoyed it and I think she might too! The church is St Michael's in Va Beach, and one thing I really like is that the celebrate Communion every service!

[DharmaBum]

I make occasional visits to an ELCA parish as well. I am a Quaker, but there is no meeting house where I live and I have become fond of the lutheran congregation down the road.
Just thought you all should get some more good feedback. :)

[RegularGuy]

I make occasional visits to an ELCA parish as well. I am a Quaker, but there is no meeting house where I live and I have become fond of the lutheran congregation down the road.
Just thought you all should get some more good feedback. :)
Hey DharmaBum:

One of my student advisors, back in the day, was an ELCA Lutheran who worshipped with the Friends pretty regularly.

He's Eastern Orthodox now.

[RegularGuy]

I visited an ELCA church today while my wife and daughter were away visiting her parents. I enjoyed the liturgy, it was very similar to the Catholic and Episcopal liturgies I experienced when visiting them too. I am trying to find a church where my wife will attend with me. She refuses RC, and is leery of the EC. My main point is I insist on the real prescence of Christ in the Eucharist, and there aren't many churches left that belive that. My wife and I both started at, and attended Happy Clappy nondenomination churches for a long time. In the past couple of years, we haven't attended church hardly at all because I feel drawn to more liturgical and traditional services. Hopefully next week, she will attend the Lutheran church with me, I really enjoyed it and I think she might too! The church is St Michael's in Va Beach, and one thing I really like is that the celebrate Communion every service!
Orthowannabe...

Lutherans definitely believe in the Real Presence.

[BabyLutheran]

Hi Reg Guy

Yes I found that out today, and hopefully I can get my wife to go next weekend to check it out!

It's been a struggle the past year or two trying to find a church we can both agree on.

[RegularGuy]

Hi Reg Guy

Yes I found that out today, and hopefully I can get my wife to go next weekend to check it out!

It's been a struggle the past year or two trying to find a church we can both agree on.
I'm not sure that this is a great advertisement for the ELCA, but I've known a number of couples who have gone to ELCA churches because the could agree on it.

The old joke was, "The Catholics think we're just like the Baptists and the Baptists think we're just like the Catholics."

[DharmaBum]

Hey DharmaBum:

One of my student advisors, back in the day, was an ELCA Lutheran who worshipped with the Friends pretty regularly.

He's Eastern Orthodox now.
that's quite a variety :)

[BabyLutheran]

I'm not sure that this is a great advertisement for the ELCA, but I've known a number of couples who have gone to ELCA churches because the could agree on it.

The old joke was, "The Catholics think we're just like the Baptists and the Baptists think we're just like the Catholics."
Whatever it takes, my friend! lol

I want to convert to RC or EO, but for the sake of having my family go to church every week, I am more than happy to take the ELCA. Like I said, my important doctrine is the Eucharist.

[NordicLutheran]

So much ELCA lovin', has anyone tried the dark side yet(LCMS)? :D

[BabyLutheran]

It sounds too much like my old fundamentalist church from what I can tell. I probably should attend one to see before judging though

[RegularGuy]

So much ELCA lovin', has anyone tried the dark side yet(LCMS)? :D
What's not to love?

And is this proselytizing?

[NordicLutheran]

It sounds too much like my old fundamentalist church from what I can tell. I probably should attend one to see before judging though


Ya might as well, I mean you did say that your key doctrine is the Eucharist. The LCMS takes it very seriously, only allowing those risen in the faith to be allowed to partake of the sacrament, but I probably shouldn't be talking about the sacrament of the altar like that in here. Throw up a post on the other forum if you do try one out. Anyway I'm off, don't worry RegularGuy I'm outta here. :wave:

[RegularGuy]

Anyway I'm off, don't worry RegularGuy I'm outta here. :wave:

You are welcome in here anytime, Nordic. You're just not welcome to promote the LC-MS. This isn't the appropriate forum.

All Lutherans, as far as I know, believe in the Real Presence of Christ "in, with and under" the elements of bread and wine in the Eucharist. The ELCA does not teach that doctrinal uniformity is necessary for participation in the Sacrament. We believe that the meal, which is a means of grace, should be available to all baptized believers. It is, after all, the Lord's table, not ours.

[AngelusSax]

And to take it 1 step further, RegularGuy, Christ is present because of Christ, not because of anything we do, say, or believe. Christ is there with, in, and under the elements whether someone believes in the Real Presence as we do or not.

So if we were to deny someone communion, would we not, in essence, in some way, be trying to deny them Christ?

That's another reason I'm for open communion.

[RegularGuy]

And to take it 1 step further, RegularGuy, Christ is present because of Christ, not because of anything we do, say, or believe. Christ is there with, in, and under the elements whether someone believes in the Real Presence as we do or not.

So if we were to deny someone communion, would we not, in essence, in some way, be trying to deny them Christ?

That's another reason I'm for open communion.
I will accept this as a friendly amendment!

:)

[RevCowboy]

And to take it 1 step further, RegularGuy, Christ is present because of Christ, not because of anything we do, say, or believe. Christ is there with, in, and under the elements whether someone believes in the Real Presence as we do or not.

So if we were to deny someone communion, would we not, in essence, in some way, be trying to deny them Christ?

That's another reason I'm for open communion.

If I could take it even one step further.;)

The interplay between the Body of Christ as the Church and the Body of Christ we receive in the Eucharist is truly astounding. When you read 1Cor 11 and 12 the dynamic that Paul is highlighting between the discernment of the body and what the body actually is, its hard to make a case for denying any baptized person the sacrament.

Discerning the body is as much, or more, about discerning the community of body than it is about believing that Christ is present. This is not to say that believing in the real presence is not important, but as my liturgy professor likes to say, "Swirling around in that cup of blood and wine is the whole universe, there is the homeless guy who sleeps on the porch of the church, the business lawyer and you. When you take the blood and the body, you take into yourself all that the Body of Christ is."

[BabyLutheran]

My family is going with me today back to St Michael's. Please pray that my wife has an open mind!

Just curious, do children typically stay in the regular service? We are used to going to nondenominational churches which have a separate children's church.

[RegularGuy]

My family is going with me today back to St Michael's. Please pray that my wife has an open mind!

Just curious, do children typically stay in the regular service? We are used to going to nondenominational churches which have a separate children's church.
Local custom rules, but in most congregations children stay for worship.

Blessed sabbath!

[RevCowboy]

My family is going with me today back to St Michael's. Please pray that my wife has an open mind!

Just curious, do children typically stay in the regular service? We are used to going to nondenominational churches which have a separate children's church.

As Regular Guy said, usually children are in church, but it depends on local custom.

Many Lutheran Congregations used to have or have Sunday school during worship. The kids might stay until the lessons, and then would be sent out for Sunday school. I think that this practice is mostly a time saving method. Church and Sunday school can be done in about an hour.

Many pastors these days are trying to move congregations to have kids in church and Sunday school before or after. My stance is that if you have to choose between the two, bring your kids to church and skip Sunday school.

I believe that worship is a family experience. Families should hear the Word preached together and share in the sacrament together. And almost as important, it to get kids used to being in church as soon a possible. Many of our Church have trouble keeping teenagers in the church, but what message are we sending them when they don't even come to the service until they are about 14 and confirmed and have no idea what the liturgy is all about.

Well, that is my little rant about kids in church, but I think it an important issue for many Lutheran congregations.

[Melethiel]

My family is going with me today back to St Michael's. Please pray that my wife has an open mind!

Just curious, do children typically stay in the regular service? We are used to going to nondenominational churches which have a separate children's church.
It varies. At my church, children only leave for a separate lesson during the sermon - and they don't have to, it's up to the parent. They're brought back after the sermon.

[Willy]

If I could take it even one step further.;)

The interplay between the Body of Christ as the Church and the Body of Christ we receive in the Eucharist is truly astounding. When you read 1Cor 11 and 12 the dynamic that Paul is highlighting between the discernment of the body and what the body actually is, its hard to make a case for denying any baptized person the sacrament.

Discerning the body is as much, or more, about discerning the community of body than it is about believing that Christ is present. This is not to say that believing in the real presence is not important, but as my liturgy professor likes to say, "Swirling around in that cup of blood and wine is the whole universe, there is the homeless guy who sleeps on the porch of the church, the business lawyer and you. When you take the blood and the body, you take into yourself all that the Body of Christ is."
This is very good. This is getting at what discerning the body means. Thanks!

[BabyLutheran]

Yay, I think we are in agreement about a church! My wife said the service was very similar to what she grew up with (a combined congregation of Methodist, United Church of Christ and some other denomination she can't remember).

We will be attending the other Lutheran churches which are closer by to see if we like them. This particular church we attended today, I picked from a web search, it is about 10 miles each way. We have 4 other Lutheran churches closer than that, all ELCA.

St Michael, the one we went to today, has 8:30 Eucharist, 10:00 Sunday School for all ages, and 11:00 Eucharist.

The closest church has the same thing, except their website says the 8:30 Eucharist is spoken and the 11:00 is sung. I am not sure what that means. One kind of strange thing is that the Pastor and co-Pastor are husband and wife, and both are ordained! I am not sure how I feel about that.

The other pretty close one only has communion every other week, so I am not too excited about it, but we will go and check it out. It also has traditional at 8:30, Sunday school at 10:00, and contemporary at 11:00, again I have no idea what they mean by contemporary in a Lutheran setting.

I have also noticed that almost all the Lutheran churches in our area have a school which goes through Kindergarten.

[BabyLutheran]

I also realize that I have been so remiss at the spiritual needs of my 9 year old girl who has not been baptized yet. She was very keen on observing a baptism during the service today. My daughter knows very little about the gospel, for which I can only blame myself.

Now the quandary, is she old enough to assent to baptism or should I have it done without her really understanding it too much?

[Melethiel]

I also realize that I have been so remiss at the spiritual needs of my 9 year old girl who has not been baptized yet. She was very keen on observing a baptism during the service today. My daughter knows very little about the gospel, for which I can only blame myself.

Now the quandary, is she old enough to assent to baptism or should I have it done without her really understanding it too much?
Well, we evil Lutheran baptize our babies. "Assent" doesn't really play much role in it.

As to spoken vs. sung...in a sung liturgy (which is rare in my part of the country, unfortunately :( ), most of the service will be chanted.
In my (highly opinionated...and remember, I'm always right ;) ) opinion, "contemporary" has no part in a good Lutheran church.

[BabyLutheran]

Thanks, Melethiel. I understand and agree with infant baptism, but I wasn't very clear in my question.

My daughter is 9, so I feel like she is on the cusp of understanding and asking to be baptized, as opposed to me just saying, "You get baptized whether you want to or not." Therein is the quandary.

What is a good first resource to help me understand Lutheranism a little better?

[Willy]

Thanks, Melethiel. I understand and agree with infant baptism, but I wasn't very clear in my question.

My daughter is 9, so I feel like she is on the cusp of understanding and asking to be baptized, as opposed to me just saying, "You get baptized whether you want to or not." Therein is the quandary.

What is a good first resource to help me understand Lutheranism a little better?
I would recommend Daniel Erlander's book "Baptized We Live." This is an excellent resource.

[BabyLutheran]

Thanks Willy. I am looking it up on amazon as we speak!

You guys don't know how much of a burden has been lifted from my spirit. My wife and I have been struggling with this for so long, and to agree on a denomination is such a blessing. For some reason, I had not considered Lutheranism until very recently, and it has pretty much all the things I am longing for: liturgy, real presence in the Eucharist, confession (if I understand it correctly, it is possible to do this, not that the pastor absolves you, but that he will hear your confession privately). I can even cross myself in church and not be "weird." I am sure there are plenty of warts to as it has us humans involved in it, but my wife and I are ready to commit and find a congregation!

[RegularGuy]

I would recommend Daniel Erlander's book "Baptized We Live." This is an excellent resource.

I second this recommendation.

[IowaLutheran]

"The Lutheran Handbook" is a great little book published by the ELCA publishing house, Augsburg Fortress a few years ago. It is very informative and very funny at times as well!

http://www.amazon.com/Lutheran-Handbook-Kristofer-Skrade/dp/0806651792

[RevCowboy]

This is very good. This is getting at what discerning the body means. Thanks!

I will thank my professor!

The closest church has the same thing, except their website says the 8:30 Eucharist is spoken and the 11:00 is sung. I am not sure what that means. One kind of strange thing is that the Pastor and co-Pastor are husband and wife, and both are ordained! I am not sure how I feel about that.

The other pretty close one only has communion every other week, so I am not too excited about it, but we will go and check it out. It also has traditional at 8:30, Sunday school at 10:00, and contemporary at 11:00, again I have no idea what they mean by contemporary in a Lutheran setting.

I have also noticed that almost all the Lutheran churches in our area have a school which goes through Kindergarten.

Liturgical settings have options to chant different parts. Depending on the pastor and the organist (or other musicians) they may be chanted or not. The thing that it depends on the most is the level of musical training that your pastor has. Unfortunately many pastors don't have the confidence or training to chant the liturgy. One of the things that I am looking forward to is chanting a lot of the liturgy once I am ordained, having a pretty solid musical background. Depending on where I am serving, I am might be providing my own accompaniment on my guitar.

The difference between traditional and contemporary is most Lutheran churches will be that traditional is hymns played on an organ and contemporary will likely the same liturgy but praise and worship songs played by a band.

I am a fan of all music from Bach to Rock, but the problem with most praise and worship music is that its "me" theology. Many songs talk more about what "Me" is doing than about what God is doing. And if you replace God with Bob, many are no different than secular love songs. Many times when I have been in situations where I have played praise and worship songs (Bible Camp, youth services etc...) I have edited and re-written lyrics.


Thanks, Melethiel. I understand and agree with infant baptism, but I wasn't very clear in my question.

My daughter is 9, so I feel like she is on the cusp of understanding and asking to be baptized, as opposed to me just saying, "You get baptized whether you want to or not." Therein is the quandary.

What is a good first resource to help me understand Lutheranism a little better?

I will throw in another vote for Daniel Erlander, who actually hand writes all the script and does all the illustrations in all his books. In the congregation that I am currently doing my Vicarage, we had about 10 baptisms this fall. My supervisor and I go and visit each family that is having a child baptized (they were all children from a few months old to 10years). We spend about 2 hours with the family talking about Baptism and what it means to have their child Baptized. We also give each family a free copy of Erlander's book "Let the Children Come" which is great resource. It even has short services that families can use at home on the anniversary of the child's baptism.

While you are waiting for Erlander's book, you can use Martin Luther's Small Catechism to teach your family about the foundations of the Christian Faith. The Small Catechism is a short education book that Luther wrote for parents to use in their home to teach their children.

You can find it online here (http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.html). The rest of the Lutheran Confessional writings are found there too.

I would also suggest talking to a pastor at one of the Church's you are visiting about Baptism and they would probably be really excited to answer any questions.

[BabyLutheran]

Thanks everyone for the good advice. I will order the books as soon as I get to the office this morning.

The chanted liturgy is really nice, I have heard it several times attending an EO church. It is odd at first, but after you get used to it, I think it is better than speaking. Of course at the Lutheran service, the people would have to chant back the responses, wouldn't they?!?!?lol I can't see that happening.

[Willy]

I will thank my professor!



Liturgical settings have options to chant different parts. Depending on the pastor and the organist (or other musicians) they may be chanted or not. The thing that it depends on the most is the level of musical training that your pastor has. Unfortunately many pastors don't have the confidence or training to chant the liturgy. One of the things that I am looking forward to is chanting a lot of the liturgy once I am ordained, having a pretty solid musical background. Depending on where I am serving, I am might be providing my own accompaniment on my guitar.

The difference between traditional and contemporary is most Lutheran churches will be that traditional is hymns played on an organ and contemporary will likely the same liturgy but praise and worship songs played by a band.

I am a fan of all music from Bach to Rock, but the problem with most praise and worship music is that its "me" theology. Many songs talk more about what "Me" is doing than about what God is doing. And if you replace God with Bob, many are no different than secular love songs. Many times when I have been in situations where I have played praise and worship songs (Bible Camp, youth services etc...) I have edited and re-written lyrics.




I will throw in another vote for Daniel Erlander, who actually hand writes all the script and does all the illustrations in all his books. In the congregation that I am currently doing my Vicarage, we had about 10 baptisms this fall. My supervisor and I go and visit each family that is having a child baptized (they were all children from a few months old to 10years). We spend about 2 hours with the family talking about Baptism and what it means to have their child Baptized. We also give each family a free copy of Erlander's book "Let the Children Come" which is great resource. It even has short services that families can use at home on the anniversary of the child's baptism.

While you are waiting for Erlander's book, you can use Martin Luther's Small Catechism to teach your family about the foundations of the Christian Faith. The Small Catechism is a short education book that Luther wrote for parents to use in their home to teach their children.

You can find it online here (http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.html). The rest of the Lutheran Confessional writings are found there too.

I would also suggest talking to a pastor at one of the Church's you are visiting about Baptism and they would probably be really excited to answer any questions.
Where are you doing your vicarage? I suspect the South with that term used.

[RevCowboy]

Where are you doing your vicarage? I suspect the South with that term used.

Well, for the ELCIC it kind of south comparatively. I am doing my vicarage/internship in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is considered to be in Southern Alberta which is three hours south of my hometown of Edmonton the northernmost provincial capital in Canada.

The seminary calls it an internship, but my congregation calls me vicar because "Intern Pastor" is a mouthful. Vicarage seems to make more sense to many folks. When I say I am on my internship they often think that I am an "interim" pastor.

I suspect that you are not the from South? (Although I am sure I would consider it south) :)

[RegularGuy]

Of course at the Lutheran service, the people would have to chant back the responses, wouldn't they?!?!?lol I can't see that happening.

Ah, but it happens! In some congregations, the pastor speaks the liturgy and the congregation chants the responses.

[BabyLutheran]

The responses do have a sort of chant sound to them if you think about it...

Do Lutherans do anything special for Lent?

[IowaLutheran]

We observe Lent. We can fast if we want to, but it is not a required discipline. Many churches have special Lenten services - We have a Wednesday night prayer service where I either lead Holden Evening Prayer or the new Evening Prayer setting in the ELW.

[RegularGuy]

Many churches have midweek services during Lent. Locally there is a tradition of pulpit exchanges: a group of pastors put together a sermon series around a common theme. Each pastor preaches the same sermon to a different congregation each week.

Many congregations have an impostion of ashes for Ash Wednesday. (I love that service with its extended form of confession). Holy Week will bring a Communion service on Maundy Thursday and a service on Good Friday (I like the Solemn Prayers. A lot of congregations have Tenebrae). The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday is a great service if you can find one nearby.