Welcome!

Everyone is welcome to worship with us! This section is designed for the first time visitor, and especially for the visitor who is not familiar with worship services. Following is general information about what you can expect, as well as detailed outlines of our services.

Before You Come

There is no particular dress code; wear what makes you comfortable. Most people wear "business casual" dress. You do not need to bring a Bible, but of course you can if you wish. The Bible lessons for the day will be printed out on sheets of paper for you. It is a good idea to arrive about ten minutes before the service starting time. The 9:30 AM service especially can get a little crowded. Services last about an hour.

As You Enter

The 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM services are held in the building with the peaked roof and large cross. This building is the second largest and is on the east side of the property (right next to the Lake Murray parking lot). The other buildings are the Community Building (where Sunday School and other events are held) and the office/preschool building. The 9:30 AM service is currently held in the Community Building to accommodate more people.

When you enter the building, you will be in a small lobby area called the narthex. There will probably be many people in this area, and you will possibly encounter folks departing from an earlier service.

Ushers will be standing at the doors of the sanctuary, the large worship area. Ushers are there to help the service run smoothly and be of assistance to you. They can help you find a seat (particularly helpful if you’re late or the sanctuary is crowded) or offer any special assistance.

The ushers will give you a book, a program (called a bulletin), and a nametag. We ask everyone attending St. Andrew’s to wear a nametag, including the pastor! It helps us all get to know each other by name. The book contains songs and possibly the liturgy or order of worship for the service. The ushers should give you everything you need for the service. If not, please let one know right away.

The Service

In general, the service is outlined in the front, inside page of the bulletin (the program you receive upon entering).

Songs are noted with initials and a number, such as LBW 500 or WOV 726. The initials indicate the hymnal or song book. The number is the number of the song found at the top of the page, not the page number at the bottom.

St. Andrew’s uses several different hymnals or song books. Ushers will give you the one you need when you enter the sanctuary. Many of the hymnals are also worship books. The hymns are in the back of the book, and the order of worship is in the front.

LBW = Lutheran Book of Worship

WOV = With One Voice

W&P = Worship and Praise

The congregation says any text written in bold or noted with a “C”. The pastor or assisting minister reads text noted with an “A” or “P.”

We have communion every Sunday, at all three services. See the descriptions of the services below for an explanation of communion and our procedure.

The 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM services are more traditional, with responsive readings and more “standing up and sitting down.” For these services, you will need to follow an order of worship. We print the order of service in the bulletin or you can follow it in the worship book provided when entering the service. The music and lyrics are in the worship books while the bulletin will have only the words. If you wish to follow in the worship book, the bulletin will guide you to the associated pages in the worship book. The order of service in the LBW is in the front of the book, where the numbers are at the bottom of the page.

The 9:30 AM is more contemporary and casual. At this service, all the information you need (except the actual songs) is in the bulletin.

If you want more detail about what happens at these services, the usual orders of worship for each is covered below. On occasion, however, you might catch us using one of a few other settings that have become popular at St. Andrew's.

8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Services

At these services, you will need to stand up and sit down at different points. Standing is generally a way of showing respect to God. For example, we sit for the first two Bible lessons, but stand for the Gospel lesson (the good news of Jesus). The pastor usually indicates when to stand up, and you can follow the lead of others in the congregation.

Because St. Andrew’s uses different orders of worship at different times of the year, the service is not always exactly the same. However, the general order is outlined below:

Prelude

The organist, choir, or other musicians will play music before the service begins. You are not late if you enter during this musical offering! In general, we do not applaud after musicians sing or play. The music is a gift of praise and thanksgiving to God and is offered to help lead everyone into worship.

Welcome

The pastor will greet everyone and perhaps give some instruction about the service.

Opening Hymn

The congregation stands for the hymn, and remains standing for the Greeting, Confession, Kyrie, Hymn of Praise, and Prayer of the Day. Find the hymn in the back section of the worship book, using the numbers at the top of the page.

Greeting

The order or worship, starting with the greeting, is in the front part of the worship book. The bulletin will indicate the page number, which is a normal page number found at the bottom of the page (as opposed to a hymn number). Keep the worship book open for the next parts of the service.

Confession

The congregation stands to confess their sins by reading a general statement together. This statement is in the worship book, on a page indicated in the bulletin. The pastor then proclaims our forgiveness.

Kyrie

The congregation remains standing for the Kyrie. The assisting minister or choir will sing a short supplication, and the congregation responds by singing “Lord, have mercy.” Follow along in the worship book.

Hymn of Praise

The Hymn of Praise is a canticle of praise to God. Sometimes the congregation sings the whole thing, and sometimes the congregation, pastor, and assisting minister alternate singing. In general, sing the parts marked with a “C.”

Note that there is more than one Hymn of Praise in some worship books. Often, we sing the second one. This will be indicated in the bulletin, and the pastor also usually points this out.

Prayer of the Day

The congregation remains standing for a brief prayer. After the prayer, it is a good idea to mark your place in the worship book for later in the service.

First Lesson

The congregation sits for the first lesson. A member of the congregation will come to the front of the sanctuary to read. If you wish to follow along, the lessons are printed in a sheet in the bulletin.

The first lesson usually comes from the Old Testament of the Bible (depending on the time of year).

Psalm

The psalm is printed on an insert in the bulletin (on the same sheet with the Bible lessons). The congregation usually reads the psalm responsively with the assistant minister. Read the parts in bold, marked with a “C.”

Second Lesson

The second lesson is read. This lesson, also called the epistle lesson, comes from one of the letters in the New Testament.

Alleluia Verse

The congregation stands to sing the alleluia verse (during most parts of the year). The pastor then says, “The Holy Gospel according to … (the specific book and chapter).” The congregation responds by saying or singing “Glory to you, O Lord.” The specifics are written in the worship book.

Gospel Lesson

The congregation stands for the Gospel lesson, which is read by the pastor. Gospel means “good news,” and this lesson comes from one of the four books of the Bible that tells Jesus’ story (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

When the pastor finishes the reading, he says, “The Gospel of the Lord.” The congregation says or sings, “Praise to you, O Christ.”

Sermon

The congregation sits for the sermon. The pastor will give a sermon, which is like a speech or lesson based on one of the Bible lessons.

Hymn of the Day

The congregation sings a hymn.

Creed

The congregation stands for the Apostle’s Creed or the Nicene Creed. Each creed is a declaration of faith. They are found in the front of the worship book on the page indicated. You do not have to say the creed if you do not want to.

Prayers of the Church

The congregation remains standing for the prayer. The assisting minister leads the prayers. When the assisting minister says “Lord, in your mercy,” the congregation says, “Hear our prayer.” If you wish to follow along, the prayers are printed on a sheet in the bulletin. Toward the end of the prayers, there is a time of silent. You can pray for anything you wish or just spend a moment in silence before God.

Sharing the Peace

The pastor will ask people to “share the peace.” At this time, everyone turns to greet others nearby. You can say “Peace be with you” or “Good morning.” After you’ve greeted the people around you, sit down. People tend to sit at different times, so feel free to sit when you are finished greeting.

Welcome and Announcements

The pastor will again welcome you and invite you to fill out the pink slip from your bulletin. The pink slip is a way to let us know you worshiped with us, if you would like to participate in any upcoming activities, or if you would like a pastoral visit. Don’t worry, no one will show up uninvited on your doorstep! The church, will, however, send you some information about what St. Andrew’s is all about. Place the pink slip in the offering plate.

The pastor will also point out any special announcements from the bulletin.

Offering

The ushers will pass the offering plates down each row. Simply pass the plate to those seated next to you. You are welcome to make an contribution, but are by no means required. Do place your pink slip in the offering plate. During the offering, the choir or other instrumentalists will play an anthem.

Offertory

The congregation stands to sing a short canticle.

Great Thanksgiving

The congregation remains standing for a portion of liturgy to prepare for communion. Follow along in the worship book. (The page is indicated in the bulletin.) There is a section where the pastor and congregation sing, and parts where the pastor speaks and prays.

Lord’s Prayer

The congregation prays the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father who art in heaven …) aloud together. The prayer is in the worship book.

Communion

At St. Andrew’s, everyone is welcome to take communion. You do not have to be a member or the congregation or even Lutheran. All we ask is that you believe Jesus’ promise, that He is here giving himself to us in the bread and wine.

The ushers will direct you for communion by coming to your row and inviting you to come to the front of the church. A line develops at the start of the pews, where another usher will tell you when to go up to the altar. The communing group forms a circle around the altar. If you are first in line, go around the altar and stand under the cross.

If you are not wearing a nametag, the pastor or communion assistant may ask you your name. Do not be alarmed! We like to personalize communion.

Hold your hands out to receive the bread. Select an individual cup of wine from the tray. The darker wine in non-alcoholic. If you do not wish to take communion, keep your hands folded. The pastor will bless you. (This includes children, as well.) After communing or being blessed, hold hands with the people next to you. When everyone has communed, the pastor will bless the group. Exit by the side aisles.

If you are not able to get to the altar for communion (there are a couple steps), please tell an usher. The pastor and communion assistants will bring communion to you.

At the beginning of the distribution of communion, the congregation sings the “Lamb of God” found in the worship book. After this, there are hymns for the congregation to sing and sometimes special music performed by a choir or group of instrumentalists.

Post-Communion Canticle

The congregation stands to sing a short song of thankfulness. The canticle is in the worship book on the page indicated in the bulletin.

Blessing

The congregation remains standing for the blessing and closing hymn.

Closing Hymn

The congregation sings a final hymn from the hymnal.

Dismissal

After the closing hymn, the assisting minister will say: “Go in peace! Serve the Lord!” The congregation responds: “Thanks be to God!”

After this the organist or choir will start performing the postlude, and you are welcome to leave. (Of course, you can also stay and listen if you wish.) The pastor will be near the door as you exit to shake hands and greet you. If you wish, join the congregation for coffee on the patio.

9:30 AM Service

At this service, the congregation stays seated for everything except communion.

Prelude

The organist, choir, or other musicians will play music before the service begins. You are not late if you enter during this musical offering! In general, we do not applaud after musicians sing or play. The music is a gift of praise and thanksgiving to God and is offered to help lead everyone into worship.

Welcome

The pastor will greet everyone and perhaps give some instruction about the service.

Responsive Reading

The reading is printed in the bulletin. The assistant minister will begin, reading the parts marked A. The congregation responds with the bold parts marked with a C.

Song

The congregation remains seated for a song.

Children’s Story

The pastor invites the children to the altar area for a children’s lesson.

Communion

After the children’s story, the pastor invites the children to watch and listen as he begins the communion liturgy. At St. Andrew’s, everyone is welcome to take communion. You do not have to be a member or the congregation or even Lutheran. All we ask is that you believe Jesus’ promise, that He is here giving himself to us in the bread and wine.

The 9:30 differs a little from the other two services, in that ushers do not invite each row to the front. Generally, Sunday School children and their families commune first. The rest of the congregation follows. You may get in line for communion whenever you wish.

A line develops at the start of the pews, where an usher will tell you when to go up to the altar. The communing group forms a circle around the altar. If you are first in line, go around the altar and stand under the cross.

If you are not wearing a nametag, the pastor or communion assistant may ask you your name. Do not be alarmed! We like to personalize communion.

Hold your hands out to receive the bread. Select an individual cup of wine from the tray. The darker wine in non-alcoholic. If you do not wish to take communion, keep your hands folded. The pastor will bless you. (This includes children, as well.) After communing or being blessed, hold hands with the people next to you. When everyone has communed, the pastor will bless the group. Exit by the side aisles.

If you are not able to get to the altar for communion (there are a couple steps), please tell an usher. The pastor and communion assistants will bring communion to you.

During communion, musicians will sing or play.

Sharing the Peace

The pastor will ask people to “share the peace.” At this time, everyone turns to greet others nearby. You can say “Peace be with you” or “Good morning.” After you’ve greeted the people around you, sit down. People tend to sit at different times.

Welcome and Announcements

The pastor will again welcome you and invite you to fill out the pink slip from your bulletin. The pink slip is a way to let us know you worshiped with us, if you would like to participate in any upcoming activities, or if you would like a pastoral visit. Don’t worry, no one will show up uninvited on your doorstep! The church, will, however, send you some information about what St. Andrew’s is all about. Place the pink slip in the offering plate.

The pastor will also point out any special announcements from the bulletin.

Offering

The ushers will pass the offering plates down each row. Simply pass the plate to those seated next to you. You are welcome to make an contribution, but are by no means required. Do place your pink slip in the offering plate. During the offering, the congregation sings a song from the song book.

Lesson

The assisting minister will read one lesson from the Bible. If you wish to read along, the lesson is printed on a sheet in the bulletin. The lesson read will be the basis for the sermon.

Sermon

The pastor will give a sermon based on the Bible lesson.

Prayers of the Church

The congregation remains standing for the prayer. The assisting minister leads the prayers. When the assisting minister says “Lord, in your mercy,” the congregation says, “Hear our prayer.”

Blessing

The pastor will bless the congregation.

Closing Song

The congregation ends the service by singing a song from the song book.

Dismissal

After the closing hymn, the assisting minister witll say: “Go in peace! Serve the Lord!” The congregation responds: “Thanks be to God!”

After this the organist or choir will start performing the postlude, and you are welcome to leave. (Of course, you can also stay and listen if you wish.) The pastor will be near the door as you exit to shake hands and greet you. If you wish, join the congregation for coffee on the patio.