What to Expect When You Visit​

FIRST TIME VISITING
We joyfully welcome all guests to services at Good Shepherd!

Services at Good Shepherd are joyfully reverent and richly ceremonial. We celebrate the Divine Service each Sunday using settings from Lutheran Service Book. 

If you are interested in membership at Good Shepherd, please contact Pastor Rogness.
 
 
WHAT TO EXPECT
Welcome in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Sunday service, what Good Shepherd calls “Divine Service,” is the most public representation of this Christian congregation, and it communicates what we believe, teach, and confess.  Like all Christian churches, we seek to follow Christ’s exhortation in John 4:23, 24, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
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Worship is an important factor for everyone who visits a church.  We want you to be as aware as possible with our Lutheran substance of worship, and we and hope the following questions and answers will help you understand our congregation’s identity …
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What … to expect when you visit Good Shepherd.
Since visiting any congregation for the first time raises questions, this page gives you some ideas about what to expect when you visit Good Shepherd.  Browse the rest of the site for other details about the service and the congregation.  Contact us with any questions or comments … maybe we missed something that would be important to you and others, and we want to know that.
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Where … do I park?
Good Shepherd has ample parking surrounding the church and you are invited to use the entrance to the church on either side of the building.
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How … will I be welcomed?
Typically, you will be met by a greeter and they will be happy to answer any question you have. Next, an usher will give you a bulletin as you enter the sanctuary. If you have any questions regarding the service, they will gladly answer any questions you have, and or connect you with the pastor. Please don’t hesitate to say, “I’m new.  Can you help me?”
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What … about the children?
Adults, especially parents are a child’s primary teacher, so we encourage children to be in the service to learn how to listen and participate in the fellowship.
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“But I know my child is going to be too noisy.”  That’s okay! The noise of children is the noise of the future of a congregation.  It’s the noise of parents doing exactly what they should be doing: bringing their children to Jesus’ feet to have them learn from Him.  There is a cry room available - with window into the sanctuary along with audio - during our services; parents may sit with their children there if the need arises, but we encourage the children to be in worship as much as possible. In fact, parents with small children are encouraged to sit near the front so that the children can better see and hear what is going on in worship.
 
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How … will I follow the service?
We use Lutheran Service Book; this book contains the order of the service and the hymns.  We also use a bulletin, which is a printed program that provides an outline of the service and identifies the hymns, readings, and prayers.  Ask if you would like assistance; someone also may ask you if you have questions.  We follow a liturgy, or order of service; a “regular” service contains many of the same elements as that of the early Christian church and our weekly bulletin will walk you through every step of worship, and even offer a few explanatory notes as we move through the service.
 
 
What … about taking communion?
Communicant members in good standing of LCMS congregations are asked to announce themselves to an usher or the Pastor prior to the service. 
 
Good Shepherd as a member congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, practices closed communion. 
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What … type of music is played?
Lutheran worship is Christocentric, meaning that all readings, practices, and music focuses on Christ and His redemptive act on the cross. Being a traditional and liturgical congregation, our hymn singing is traditionally led by the playing of an organ. All our music is focused on Christ or some aspect of our faith, and is often tied to Christ’s life.