Lord of Life Lutheran Church

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Questions about coming to Church
It can be hard to go to a church for the first time. There are so many questions that can arise. For example, What will the service be like? Will I have to do anything during the service? What do I do with my children? What should I wear? Unknown issues like these can make church intimidating.
We hope we can answer some of the questions you might have about our church before you visit us at Lord of Life. Wed like to make your visit with us relaxed and enriching.
Please let us know if there are questions not answered. We want to add whatever will be helpful to you.
Our deepest wish is that when you visit Lord of Life, you will hear about your Savior, Jesus, and come to know the grace and love of God in your life.

Year round, our Sunday WORSHIP SERVICE begins at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.
At 9:15 we begin EDUCATION HOUR. Sunday School is open to children age three through high school age; although beginning at that exact age can vary if an individual child is ready to begin sooner. Please feel free to bring your younger children to Sunday School. Adults have Bible Study in the Church and in the Fellowship Hall where there is room for young children to roam without disturbing the ongoing class
After both Worship services, we have a time for FELLOWSHIP. We have coffee, snacks, and juice available. Please take this time to make new friends or find old ones.

I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD. - Psalm 122:1
The high point of each week for the people of Lord of life are when we gather together to praise God in worship. Traditional, classical, and contemporary styles of worship are blended together into each service.
The Lutheran Church has retained the elements of historic Christian worship. A typical service includes hymns, readings from the Bible, a childrens message, a sermon, songs of praise, prayers, an offering and faith stories. Communion, the celebration of the Lords Supper, is offered at each service.
The services focus on readings from the Bible. There we hear God talk to us. Music and singing are an important part of our services too. Loud or soft, in monotone or rich harmony, all our praises are music to God. You might even remember a favorite hymn or song!
You can ask for special prayers for needs or to thank God for his rich blessings. Pastor will ask for specific prayers during the church service. Our congregation has been richly blessed as we have seen the hand of God in answering the prayers we raise to Him.
Order of Service

The Invocation - We call on the name of our Savior God as we praise Him.
Admitting sins and receiving forgiveness - We acknowledge that we have not been or done what God asks. Then we are assured of forgiveness in Jesus.
Bible Readings - Selections from Gods Old Testament prophets, Jesus apostles, and from Jesus Himself in the Gospels.
Sermon - Our pastor offers instruction and encouragement in a Bible based sermon. Expect Gods guidance and grace for dealing with problems as well and the promise of eternal life in heaven through Jesus. Included in your worship folder will be an outline of the sermon.
Response to the Word - We respond with offerings and prayers for the things He has promised to us and for strength to do what He has asked.
Communion Each Sunday communion is offered at our church. You will not need to pick the right Service in order to receive communion!
Parting blessing - We hear one last assurance of Gods care.
Mixed throughout these different parts of our service are hymns and short songs to praise God. Our services use traditional forms and modern language and application. The traditional brings us the best from Gods Church throughout the ages and the contemporary brings Gods promises and His will into our daily lives. We hope you enjoy both.

As our guest, you may sit wherever you feel most comfortable. To assist families with young children we have designated the back two rows for guests with small children. This is so they can easily take them out to the cry-room or narthex.

Sometimes people wonder how they are expected to dress at a church theyve never visited before. Because the Bible presents no dress code, aside from simple decency and Christian humility, Lord of Life Lutheran Church doesnt make any rules either. On any Sunday at our church you may see running shoes and high heels, jeans and suits, or T shirts and ties. When a person dresses out of love for God, the choice of dress casual or more formal is acceptable to God . . . and us.

When will they take the offering? How will it be collected? How much am I expected to give? Do they want visitors to contribute too? These are typical worries about church offerings.
The Bible teaches that our offerings to God should reflect our belief that all we have is His gift to us. It teaches us that with our offerings we worship and honor God. Like most Christians, our members bring offerings to God through their church. Since offerings are gifts of love for God, no one dictates what each person is to give. We pass an offering plate during the service so that our worship may include bringing gifts to God. (Offering envelopes are available and keep our gifts a private matter known only to God who sees what we do in private.)
A child may bring the quarters and dimes his parents give him. Someone older may write a check. Both are remembering Jesus and giving their gift out of love for Him.
You may wish at first to learn more about our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church. But you are welcome to participate as your heart leads you to give.

Historically, communion was limited to those who were members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (called close[d] communion). If you are a member of other Lutheran churches we invite you to communion. We do believe that we are receiving the body and blood of Christ Jesus and we respect the practice of communion. Children who are not confirmed can come to the altar for a blessing. If you are uncertain of whether you should take communion or not, please talk with Pastor or a greeter at the church.

No steps: Lord of Life Lutheran Church has no steps to enter the church. Worship, fellowship and the bathrooms are all at street level. Wheelchairs can be placed in many areas of the church and Pastor will bring communion to you, so you need not stand or walk to the altar.
Sound enhancement: Special ear phones are available for sound enrichment.

Attending church somewhere for the first time can be intimidating. Here are some common worries:
I would just die if they made me stand up and say something. We assure you, we wont embarrass you in this or any other way. We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us. Church should be an enjoyable and uplifting experience. We promise to do all we can so you can learn about your Savior.
I know my child is going to be too noisy. Lord of Life is made up of many families with small children so small children are welcomed. However if you would like a place to take your child if she/he becomes noisy, we have a cry room which is located next to our worship area. The service may still be seen and heard through a window.
I know I will feel out of place. We hope that this information will ease your mind, but if you have a question, please ask someone for help. Dont hesitate to say, I am new. What is this about? Our congregation is still very young. Our members are also new.
Everyone will know I am new; I wont know what to do. Each Service follows a written plan and uses the hymnals in the pews. You will receive a bulletin as you enter that will have instructions and page numbers to follow. Songs are either within the bulletin or listed by number, and the numbered songs are in the back of the hymnal. Pastor will also instruct the congregation when it is time to stand or sit.
We go to the altar for communion and the people on the right hand side of the church go first. If this is your first time at church it may be more comfortable to sit in the back or on the left, so you can watch others receive communion.
I am afraid I will say or do something wrong. All of us have felt this way when in a new situation. But we hope you see the people of Lord of Life to be ordinary people like yourself. We want to accept you as you are and help you become what Christ wants you to be.
I just want to watch at first and I know that they will try to involve me or sign me up. It is unpleasant to be pressured or to be part of a membership drive, isnt it? We believe that church membership should be a voluntary thing, and that the most important thing is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. It takes time for this to be cultivated. People need time to evaluate and decide if they wish further involvement. We believe we should respect that need.
I dont know that much about the Bible. Church and Bible Study are opportunities to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and faith in Jesus. You wont have to answer any questions you dont want to answer. And remember, even our wisest members sometimes say, I dont know.
We hope this material has answered most of your questions about worshiping God with us at Lord of Life. If we did not answer all of your questions, feel free to phone us or ask a greeter as you enter church on Sunday. Hope to see you soon!

Lord of Life is a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church located in Elkhorn, Nebraska. For more information on the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, please visit www.lcms.org or click on the LCMS tab.