We might try an ELCA church on Sunday, but

[Leanna]

I have a few questions. Is it likely to be dress up for the congregation?

What is normal as far as children during service-- will they sit with parents, go to a children's program, what?

Being Lutheran, I assume that when communion comes around we cannot partake unless we are a member, correct? So when it comes time for communion, what do we do? :o

Maybe this will vary considerably between congregations, but I have no idea what to expect, I haven't been to a Lutheran church since I was a child with my grandma, and there was a lot of repeating things from a book and stuff.... its all fuzzy :blush:

[RegularGuy]

Hi Mom!

First, in an ELCA church you will probably be welcome at Communion, especially if you can answer "yes" to the following three questions:

1. Have you been baptized?

2. Have you received Communion before?

3. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Sacrament according to his promises?

The ELCA has a relatively open Communion policy. If you arrive a little early you can ask the pastor or ushers about it. Or, better yet, phone ahead and ask.

As far as children, the practice varies from congregation congregation, but in most congregations children stay through the service. Again, why not phone ahead and ask?

There's no dress code. The ethos may be different in different communities. You will probably be welcomed no matter how you are dressed. I would suggest dressing nicely, as if you were going out to dinner at a chain restaurant.

Finally, worship styles vary from congregation to congregation...sometimes from service to service in the same congregation. In my (little) church, the pastor tries to seat visitors with members to help guide them through the service. Some churches use projectors and screens. Some use "user-friendly" bulletins. Some use books. There is likely to be lots of standing and sitting and reading from some source (book, screen or bulletin). Don't be afraid to ask for help.

God bless your visit!

[Edial]

I have a few questions. Is it likely to be dress up for the congregation?

What is normal as far as children during service-- will they sit with parents, go to a children's program, what?
In my ELCA church, children stay with their parents during the service.
Pastor has an "Object Lesson" sermonette for children during the service.

Being Lutheran, I assume that when communion comes around we cannot partake unless we are a member, correct? So when it comes time for communion, what do we do?
Not at all.
At ELCA anyone that confesses Jesus Christ as his/her Savior is welcome.
Also, you being a Lutheran, you would not have a disagreement concerning the context of the elements.
In my church, Pastor, when he sees new faces, sometimes states what the elements are and asks people that do not believe this, to abstain.
However, he never turned anyone down who approached the rail.
He believes that it is between the person and God.


Maybe this will vary considerably between congregations, but I have no idea what to expect, I haven't been to a Lutheran church since I was a child with my grandma, and there was a lot of repeating things from a book and stuff.... its all fuzzy :blush:
My ELCA church is liturgical and conservative.

Just look at the Bulletin before the service. Study it. :):) They have page numbers in it and the hymn numbers.
Know a difference between the hymnals. Green book or a Blue book. Or WOV (With one Voice), slim soft-cover blue book.

If you're not on top of it from the beginning, you might get lost quickly.

Fortunately, Lutherans of EVERY Synod are more than happy to help out when one is lost. :)

Please, let us know how it went. :)

Thanks,
Ed

[ShannonB]

I'm not sure how other churches are but here's the lowdown on ours...

1 - Kiddos stay with their parents during services. In fact our church has bags for each child with colors, coloring book, etc in it to help them stay in their seats. :) Of course when they get a little older they are expected to follow along with the service.
2 - Communion - all who believe are welcome to commune.
3 - Dress code - there is none! You will see people in everything from jeans and t-shirts to very nice dress clothes. Most people tend to go somewhat middle of the road - jeans and a nice shirt or khakis (or similar) and a nice shirt.
4 - We use the Lutheran Book of Worship and With One Voice during services. Typically our bulletin says at the top which book will be used or we have abbreviations behind the page numbers if we are switching back and forth. (LWB and WOV)

[crazyvegan]

I don't have much else to add to what has been stated.

Dress is getting to be pretty casual, it seems. People at my church wear shorts, even on Sunday morning. I do not agree with that, though. Even to the Saturday evening service, I usually at least wear jeans instead of shorts. (Last Saturday was an exception. After church my husband and I attended our pastor's wife's and daughter's graduation party and I was in an "I don't care mood.) My mother doesn't agree with me wearing jeans on Sunday morning, but since I don't have much in the way of maternity dress clothes, and the jeans are a dark color, I do it and add a blouse and a blazer and loafers.
If you are uncertain, go dressy casual.

What is normal as far as children during service-- will they sit with parents, go to a children's program, what?
As for children, it varies. Some churches are doing a children's church now, but I'm not sure how common it is. As stated, some also have a children's activity bag, and most have children's bulletins, which are activities based on the day's readings. (Of course, it doesn't hurt to bring things for your kids to do.)

As said, most ELCA churches have an open communion policy. Some use the common cup, which means that one can either drink from the cup or dunk the bread/wafer into. I prefer the latter.

As for worship formats, it's also starting to vary. Some still do straight green book, which means that they use one of the Communion Settings from the Lutheran Book of Worship (abbreviated in most churches as either LBW or green book). Usually the pastor, or intern, or lay minister, whomever is doing that portion of the service, will verbally invite the people to stand, and/or it will be in the bulletin. Another service variation is to use the "outline" of the Holy Communion setting in the LBW, but use different things, like kyries, communion hymns, hymns of praise, etc. Some churches put everything in the bulletin, including the hymns (even if they can be found in the LBW or With One Voice [aka, WOV or blue book) which is nice and friednly for newcomers, but overall, I think it can be a huge waste of paper, especially if the church does not offer recycling recprocles (sp?). The church I'm currently at can worship at least 350 a weekend and they don't recycle the bulletins which I find sickening.

Also, some churches do a "contemporary" service, which can be similar to non-denominational service, Penecostal, etc., with the praise team, the modern songs, a band, etc. Our church offers one of those and I'm not overly keen on it. I guess it has some of the elements of the liturgy, but it's still not traditional to me. (On the other hand, I've been to contemporary services that are very liturgical, despite using new songs, the band, etc.)

Usually on the church website or the sign, if they offer both services, will be indicated with "contemporary" and "traditional". Our church offers a service that is pretty much straight green book service, the aforementioned contemporary, and two services that follow the liturgical outline, but implement the newer stuff.

If you're interested in seeing if the church has a site, try elca.org. On the right side of the front page under Quick Links is the section link for Find a Church.

I hope this helps.

[Luther073082]

Hi Mom!

First, in an ELCA church you will probably be welcome at Communion, especially if you can answer "yes" to the following three questions:

1. Have you been baptized?

2. Have you received Communion before?

3. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Sacrament according to his promises?

The ELCA has a relatively open Communion policy. If you arrive a little early you can ask the pastor or ushers about it. Or, better yet, phone ahead and ask.

As far as children, the practice varies from congregation congregation, but in most congregations children stay through the service. Again, why not phone ahead and ask?

There's no dress code. The ethos may be different in different communities. You will probably be welcomed no matter how you are dressed. I would suggest dressing nicely, as if you were going out to dinner at a chain restaurant.

Finally, worship styles vary from congregation to congregation...sometimes from service to service in the same congregation. In my (little) church, the pastor tries to seat visitors with members to help guide them through the service. Some churches use projectors and screens. Some use "user-friendly" bulletins. Some use books. There is likely to be lots of standing and sitting and reading from some source (book, screen or bulletin). Don't be afraid to ask for help.

God bless your visit!

Umm did I screw up?

When I was in college I first felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Eventually this pushed me to start going to the Lutheran Sunday services at the Chapel of the Ressurection. (Lutheran Campus)

So I went a couple of Sundays and I didn't take communion. Eventually I asked the pastor about it and he said that I could if I agreed with the confession of faith and had been baptized. I was baptized by a Roman Catholic priest and I agreed with the confession so I went ahead and took communion the next Sunday.

I never received any formal communion instruction or anything. But you mentioned "have you received communion before" Well prior to doing that I had not received communion anyplace. Was I suppose to take a specialized communion class at my age?

BTW I'm 25, and sunday school teacher. I started going to Lutheran services at 20 and have been taking communion at just about every service since then. I wasn't offically a Lutheran until I was about 22 because the college chapel didn't have actual membership rolls and so I didn't actually become a "member" until I went home and joined the local ELCA church.

I'd really hate to find out that I've been bringing shame upon the alter for the last 5 years. But I've always had this fear that I forgot to do something important in my conversion.

[PostTribber]

"3. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Sacrament according to His promises?" ...... the only promise I am aware that Jesus spoke of His presence was, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20). of 'communion" He only spoke of it as being 'in remembrance', "And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19). Jesus made on 'illusion' of it ever becoming His actual 'body & blood', as it is written, "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10), and again, "but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:12). Communion has no 'mystical' power in regards to redemption, "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." (Ephesians 5:25-26). :amen:

[jcj3803]

My background is WELS/LCMS but I now regularly attend an ELCA church. It's a big one with a variety of services so I doubt I've seen everything, but here are my observations:

The early AM traditional services are dressier - some suits, dresses but mainly dress casual attire. As you go later in the day, the services become more contemporary and the dress code relaxes to shorts, jeans, etc.

The senior pastor mentions the "true presence" in the communion elements and invites "all those who believe" it it to attend. I've noticed the other pastors say "all are welcome" or "the table is ready' with no mention if the presence is there or if the communion elements are only symbolic. I have not heard nor asked about the official doctrinal stance from anybody at this particular church.

Kids stay with mom and dad unless they are off to a Sunday School class (again, depends on the time).

[PostTribber]

"I've noticed the other pastors say "all are welcome" or "the table is ready'.." .... why don't they just say, "COME AND GET IT!" :P

[jcj3803]

"I've noticed the other pastors say "all are welcome" or "the table is ready'.." .... why don't they just say, "COME AND GET IT!" :P

Mary's mashed potatoes? Lazarus lasagna? Joseph jello?

(Ok, I'm off topic, sorry. No more.)

[RegularGuy]

Umm did I screw up?


No. You didn't screw up. You talked with the pastor first.

It has been the tradition of the Lutheran church to require instruction prior to first Communion. BUT--this is not because holy Communion in any way requires our intellectual understanding to be effective. It doesn't.

Apparently your talk with the pastor satisfied the pastor that you were receiving the Sacrament in a proper spirit of reverence and faith.

EDIT: If you are still concerned about it, talk to your pastor.

[RegularGuy]

"3. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Sacrament according to His promises?" ...... the only promise I am aware that Jesus spoke of His presence was, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20). of 'communion" He only spoke of it as being 'in remembrance', "And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19). Jesus made on 'illusion' of it ever becoming His actual 'body & blood', as it is written, "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10), and again, "but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:12). Communion has no 'mystical' power in regards to redemption, "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." (Ephesians 5:25-26). :amen:
This is probably not the appropriate forum for debate. Lutherans lean on the words "This is my body...This is my blood" rather than the "remembrance" part of the Words of Institution.

We do not believe or teach that the Eucharist is a new Sacrifice. Luther did not include a Eucharistic Prayer in his vernacular mass because the Eucharistic Prayers of his day were shot through with the language of sacrifice.

[Luther073082]

No. You didn't screw up. You talked with the pastor first.

It has been the tradition of the Lutheran church to require instruction prior to first Communion. BUT--this is not because holy Communion in any way requires our intellectual understanding to be effective. It doesn't.

Apparently your talk with the pastor satisfied the pastor that you were receiving the Sacrament in a proper spirit of reverence and faith.

EDIT: If you are still concerned about it, talk to your pastor.

Do you think there is any chance that it will matter at this point? I mean I've been taking communion for almost 5 years now at either the Chapel of the Resssurection or my church. I belive in real presence and understand it better then most of the other lay members of my congregation. I've even had some limited formalized theological learning in college. (Required courses to graduate)

I guess I can speak with my pastor but he's pretty busy and I don't like to burden his time with something I really don't think would matter at this point.

Thanks for your help.

[RegularGuy]

Do you think there is any chance that it will matter at this point?

Honestly...no.

If you're not concerned about it, I am not concerned about it.

[PostTribber]

Mary's mashed potatoes? Lazarus lasagna? Joseph jello? (Ok, I'm off topic, sorry. No more.)
....and I love it! :thumbsup: