This Sunday's Worship Service
Whether you're away for the weekend, exploring church for the first time or just can't make it this week, a recording of worship is posted here by the end of the day each Sunday, so you don't have to miss a service.
Worship @ Living Word
Living Word is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran body in the United States. We typically use "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" as a worship guide, as it offers a variety of settings and styles to enhance worship. Lutherans practice two sacraments -- Baptism and Holy Communion and maintain that the essential elements of a sacrament are:
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​commanded by Jesus -- "Do this . . ."
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found in physical elements (something we can see, touch and sometimes taste) -- Water, Bread and Wine (gluten free bread and grape juice are often substituted for those who need other options)
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connected to God’s promise -- "This is my body. This is my blood. Given for YOU."
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Please know that GOD has a place for you at the table and that ALL are welcome!
LUTHERAN WORSHIP
An Overview
Every Sunday we Lutherans join with other Christians around the world and through the centuries to do the "worship (or work) of the people," the liturgy. The typical pattern for worship used in "liturgical" churches is quite old, mirroring worship as it was done in the early church. The liturgy has four parts: Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending.
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Liturgy = The worship of the people of God, literally "the work of the people", has as its elements:
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GATHERING: We gather with prayers of thanksgiving for God’s greatness and mercy. This is called “the gathering.”
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WORD: we hear the word of God’s promise in Scripture and in preaching. This is called “the service of the Word.”
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The Readings
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The Sermon
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The Word in other forms (hymns and creeds)
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Prayers of Intercession
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The Passing of the Peace
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MEAL: We receive the visible word of promise in the bread and the wine, the body and blood of Christ given for each of us. This has been called the “Eucharist,” “Holy Communion,” “Lord's Supper,” or, simply, the “Meal.”
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The Offerings
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The Great Thanksgiving
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Communion
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SENDING: Nourished by God’s promise in Word and sacrament, we are sent forth to live out the promise in our own lives and in love for our neighbors everywhere.
Please join us on Sundays for Worship at 9:30 am
and Learning Hour for all ages at 10:30 am