Worship
Sunday Morning Worship at 9:00am
We believe that Jesus Christ is really present in the Lord’s Supper, and that through this meal comes forgiveness of sin and new life to all who have a believing heart. All the baptized are invited to come and hold in your hand and taste on your lips the love that goes beyond all human comprehension.
NOTE: It is not necessary for you to belong to our congregation or another Lutheran congregation. If you receive communion in your home congregation you are welcome to commune here.
At the table of our Lord Jesus Christ, God nourishes faith, forgives sin, and calls us to be witnesses to the gospel.
Parents decide on when their child is ready to receive Communion. Our Savior's offers a Saturday morning retreat (week before Easter) at Our Savior's for families to prepare to celebrate first Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday (Last Supper) of Holy Week.
If you would like to learn about the
Sacrament of Holy Communion, or talk to Pastor Kemp about your child receiving Holy Communion, please contact the church office (920) 235-4850.
You are an Essential Piece... no matter what size (or age)
Children are not the church of the future. They are a part of the church of the present. We encourage and enable children to be a part of worship often, for this is where they learn the most about the Christian family - by experiencing it! To be in worship at a young age, means children are storing memories of worship as a loving, safe place where they belong. And this is how the Christian faith is "caught" rather than "taught." In worship we minister to each other. Children minister to us with the gifts of trust and a fresh point of view. We can minister to them with the gifts of acceptance and respect. This may mean that periods of silence are not as silent, that prayers and sermons are shorter; and that there will be more variety in our worship in order to stimulate young ones. We will probably see more movement, more music and experience more drama. Having children in our midst means that we will be listening when Jesus says, "Whoever received one such child in my name received me." We invite all God's children to actively participate in the Children's Message and Worship services on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
Tips for Worshiping with Young Children
Jesus made a point of welcoming children. He spoke of them as models of faith. Could Jesus possibly have meant the children around you during worship? Of course! Gazing on a serenely sleeping child might fill you with peace. And the toddler who squirms and jiggles with the music might inspire you to express a little more joy in God's love.
Here are some ways you can affirm the young children, and their families, who have come to worship here at Our Savior's.
- Enjoy the spontaneity of children as they respond to the sights, sounds, and actions around them. What's familiar and routine for you is new and exciting for them.
- Expect some questions and confusion.
- Because young children often mimic what they see, hold a hymnal and share it with children so they can join in the singing.
- Communicate at the child's physical level. Smiles, wave, or talk to them at their eye level rather than from high above.
- Take time to talk to the children, before or after worship, and listen carefully to their answers. Don't feel you have to answer all of their questions. Sometimes just hearing them is all they need.
- As you walk to communion, accommodate slower walkers with an inquisitive nature.
- Be ready to help out, especially if a family has several small children.
- Offer to hold or briefly entertain one child while a parent settles another.
- Compliment a child whenever possible. You might say, "I liked sitting by you today. You and I enjoy the same kind of music."
Remember that we are all Essential Pieces in our life together at Our Savior's... no matter what size (or age)!
