What to Expect

What is the service like?

The worship service at Trinity Lutheran Church is called the Divine Service, which means “Service of God.” People usually think of worship as us serving God. And while that certainly happens at Trinity, the focus of the Divine Service is actually God serving us. In fact, this is the primary purpose of our worship: to be served by God. It’s a beautiful thing that God actually wants to serve us. Jesus says, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). Jesus’ great service to us, of course, was His suffering and death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. But He continues to serve us now. Our Lutheran Confessions state it clearly: “God wants Himself to be known, He wants Himself to be worshiped, in such a way that we receive benefits from Him and receive them because of His mercy, not because of our merits. This is the richest consolation in all afflictions” (Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article IV.60). Jesus gathers us together in the Divine Service to receive His Word, His forgiveness, His body and blood, His mercy; and we respond with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

What is the Liturgy?

Trinity Lutheran Church uses the historic liturgy, an order of service that the Christian Church has been using for over 1600 years and that has roots that are over 2000 years old. We are not looking to do something new, cutting edge, or fancy. Instead we join with the rest of the Holy Christian Church throughout all time and space, singing the words they sang, confessing the faith they confessed, and possessing the same Lord Jesus Christ as they. Our services are reverent and filled with singing.

Can I take Communion? Visitors are kindly asked to introduce themselves to the pastor before the  service.

Where do I park? We have several handicapped parking spaces in the parking lot accessed from Euclid Ave.  Regular parking is available directly behind and next to the church and accessed from either Highland Ave or Brown.

A Special Welcome to Those with Young Children

We are very happy that you are here today! At Trinity we want you to feel at home.

• First, please relax and enjoy your time here. Jesus knows that children tend to wiggle and squawk a bit, so please don’t feel embarrassed by it. Your children are welcome at Trinity.

• To make it a bit easier on your family, please dare to sit toward the front where your children can easily see, note the colors, watch the pastor, and wonder at and embrace the action at the altar. What Jesus does here promises to engage them.

• As we go, softly explain the Liturgy to your children, encouraging them to chime in on their parts: Amen! Lord have mercy! And with your spirit! I believe! Our Father! All of that belongs to them too.

• Be sure to sing and say and pray your parts too as you stand and sit. Your children learn by following your lead.

• If you and your child must leave, please hurry back. We want your children here so much that we didn’t build a nursery. Like Jesus, we want your children in the Liturgy, not out.

• If you need a little help, just ask. There are lots of folks here who will lend you a hand.

Please know that while you are caring for your children, the rest of us will be rejoicing in Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16).

We know that your children are a gift to the Church, so we will do our best to welcome, smile, encourage, help and bless you all. Welcome to Trinity Lutheran Church!