When you feel ready and comfortable to return in person, please join us. If you aren’t quite there, that’s perfectly fine. You can continue to worship via Zoom.
What to Expect
When returning to Worship
Welcome!
- All are welcome! Just come as you are.
- Masking is at one’s own discretion. Anyone who wishes to wear a face mask for any reason will be welcome to do so.
- Congregational singing has returned!
Communion
Holy Communion is an important part of our worship life. We will celebrate Communion every Sunday, both in-person and on Zoom. Those at home will be able to pick up a Communion kit prior to the service, with all the supplies needed for the meal. During the service those on Zoom will be invited to join a Breakout Room, where a communion minister will welcome you and offer you communion by name. Please contact us for more information. All are welcome at the table!
Worship Service
- The service is projected on screens in the sanctuary
- Because we are minimizing high touch points, the offering plate will not be passed during the service. You will be invited to place your offering in a designated location or you can continue to give online or by mailing your offering to the church office.
- Congregational singing has returned!
- The nursery is available for those who need to step out of worship, but it is not staffed at this time.
Not ready just yet? Connect with us online.
At Church Worship Services
The Worship Service
Our worship service follows a pattern of Gathering, Hearing God’s Word, Sharing in God’s Meal and Being Sent into God’s World to Serve. Many of the words of worship are time-honored words from scripture which, when read and sung regularly, become part of our daily journey of faith. In times of trouble, we recall Christ’s words of comfort, “Peace be with you.” In times of longing, we cry out, “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us… grant us peace!” In transitioning from one day to the next we pray that, “The Lord will bless us and keep us… in his peace.” In so doing, the words of worship become part of our very being.
Children in Church
Children learn about God’s love through watching and participating in worship services. Children are always welcome in worship. A special children’s message is offered in worship most weeks.
Holy Communion
Following the tradition of the earliest Christians, Holy Communion is offered weekly at Good Shepherd. In Communion we celebrate “a foretaste of the feast to come.” We believe that Christ’s presence in the bread and cup offers forgiveness of sin and nourishment for the week ahead. Instruction for children who wish to begin receiving the meal may be arranged with the pastors. Communion is open to all people regardless of church affiliation. If taking the bread and cup is not part of your tradition, you are welcome to come to the altar for a word of blessing.
Membership at Good Shepherd
Those who want to learn more about the vision and mission of this community of faith are invited to speak with the pastors or any other member to learn more. Conversations with those new to Good Shepherd seek to form relationships and share who we are and what we do. New members are paired with sponsors who will help them connect in a variety of ways. Please consider sharing your personal information on the “Welcome to Worship” slip near the offering plate.
At Online Worship Services
Something 1
Our worship service follows a pattern of Gathering, Hearing God’s Word, Sharing in God’s Meal and Being Sent into God’s World to Serve. Many of the words of worship are time-honored words from scripture which, when read and sung regularly, become part of our daily journey of faith. In times of trouble, we recall Christ’s words of comfort, “Peace be with you.” In times of longing, we cry out, “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us… grant us peace!” In transitioning from one day to the next we pray that, “The Lord will bless us and keep us… in his peace.” In so doing, the words of worship become part of our very being.
Something 2
Children learn about God’s love through watching and participating in worship services. Children are alway welcome in worship. We have a GraceSpace toward the front-left of the sanctuary to make family worship easier. If you feel the need for some time to worship without your child present, child care for infants through age 4 is available during both worship services in the nursery, located down the hallway on the right, across from the restrooms. A special children’s message is offered in worship most weeks.
Something 3
Following the tradition of the earliest Christians, Holy Communion is offered weekly at Good Shepherd. In Communion we celebrate “a foretaste of the feast to come.” We believe that Christ’s presence in the bread and wine offers forgiveness of sin, strength of faith and nourishment for the week ahead. Instructions for how to participate in Communion are in the worship service bulletin. Instruction for children who wish to begin receiving the meal may be arranged with the pastor. Communion is open to all people regardless of church affiliation. If taking the bread and wine is not part of your tradition, you are welcome to come to the altar for a word of blessing.
Something 4
Something 5
Those who want to learn more about the vision and mission of this community of faith are invited to speak with the pastor or any other member about Growing in Faith Together, or GIFT, a process of faith formation and way to get to know who we are and what we do. Please consider sharing your personal information on the “Welcome to Worship” slip which is found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate.