Our Services

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The word "liturgy" just means "service" but it implies a consistent pattern of formal worship. The Liturgy we use is one of reverence and awe as we come to receive the gifts of Jesus. The Liturgy of the ancient Christian Church is where we come together to give God prayer, praise, and thanks and where God gives His gifts. This Liturgy transcends time and space as well as race, tribe, language, and ethnicity. It is not German, or Sioux, or African, or American. It is not subject to some sub-culture but instead constitutes the meta-culture of the Church. Because our God is a "consuming fire" we are called to offer Him "acceptable worship, with reverence and awe" (Heb 12:28-29). Therefore, with such an attitude, we confess that something of great importance is taking place within the service. In this service, God Himself comes to dwell with His people, forgive their sins, and give them His Holy Body and Precious Blood. The Liturgy, the ceremonies, the reverence, what it does is emphasize and highlight the work of Christ and how He gives us His gifts.

As part of the ancient Christian Church, we practice the Faith the way that the Church always has.  From the Jerusalem Church who "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42) to the Lutheran Fathers who confess that "we do not abolish the Mass, but religiously maintain and defend it. For among us masses are celebrated every Lord’s Day and on the other festivals, in which the Sacrament is offered to those who wish to use it, after they have been examined and absolved. And the usual public ceremonies are observed, the series of lessons, of prayers, vestments, and other like things" (Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV, Book of Concord). Therefore, we retain the historic and traditional worship of the ancient Christian Church.

You will find that every inch of the Divine Service is crammed with Sacred Scripture. It encompasses everything we believe, teach, and confess as it permeates our worship. From Confession and Absolution, to the Nicene Creed, to the Lord's Supper itself, everything in the Divine Service is directly from the Sacred Scriptures.  The Scriptures are all about who Jesus is and what He does and the Liturgy is where we see that brought to us as we devote ourselves "to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).

Jesus says " Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ” (Matt 11:29-30). Jesus bids all to come unto Him and find life and salvation. The Divine Service is right where Jesus does that. In His Word and Sacrament, He comes to His people giving life, love, and immortality. If you want to know more about this, Jesus bids you to "Come and see" (John 1:39).