What To Expect At Worship
Please note: the activities below have been adapted and continue to evolve during the pandemic. Information about Zoom gatherings and smaller in-person ones currently set up or in the planning stages has been added throughout the website, and we encourage you to contact us for more details.
The Good Shepherd congregation is a welcoming, diverse community of all ages, and we invite you to join our services any Sunday. For now, these start at 10:45 a.m. in English, at 1 p.m. in Spanish. We welcome visitors and new members and want you to feel at home. So if you have any questions, just ask!
Read on to get the flavor of services in "normal" (non-Covid-19) times.
The Space
You will notice that on the left side of the church there is a “Pray-Ground” for our youngest worshipers, where they can play with quiet toys while sitting near their parents during the service. On the right side of the church, there is special space to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.
The Music
Music is a vital part of our worship experience, and you will notice traditional hymns, contemporary Christian music, and songs from around the world incorporated into our worship. Members of the congregation share their musical talents during service, both instrumentally and vocally. We always welcome new musicians to join us; we rehearse around 10:15 a.m. each Sunday. Contact our Music Director, Rita Pihra-Majurinen, for more information.
The Service
You will notice that having members actively involved in worship is typical; many members volunteer to read from the Scriptures, for instance. During the sharing of the peace, many worshipers enjoy leaving the pews to shake each other's hands, but some worshipers prefer to remain in the pews. All are encouraged to share the peace in their own comfort zone.
Communion and Offering
We have Holy Communion every Sunday, and all are welcome, including those who are not yet members or are not confirmed Lutherans. Participants approach up the center aisle and may take bread only or bread and wine or grape juice. On the way up to Communion (or at any convenient time), worshipers may drop a donation in the plate near the front of the center aisle (members have envelopes, but guests may donate without an envelope). Members typically return to their pews down the two side aisles. After Communion, some like to go the front right corner of the church to light a candle for special private prayers before returning to their seats.
Closing and Coffee Hour
For the final song of the day, children offer all worshipers hand instruments to use for percussion to accompany our singing. Following worship, all are welcome to the adjacent Soul Café for refreshments and socializing.
Interested in Sunday School, First Communion, Confirmation classes?
Please speak with Pastor Ruiz directly.
The Good Shepherd congregation is a welcoming, diverse community of all ages, and we invite you to join our services any Sunday. For now, these start at 10:45 a.m. in English, at 1 p.m. in Spanish. We welcome visitors and new members and want you to feel at home. So if you have any questions, just ask!
Read on to get the flavor of services in "normal" (non-Covid-19) times.
The Space
You will notice that on the left side of the church there is a “Pray-Ground” for our youngest worshipers, where they can play with quiet toys while sitting near their parents during the service. On the right side of the church, there is special space to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.
The Music
Music is a vital part of our worship experience, and you will notice traditional hymns, contemporary Christian music, and songs from around the world incorporated into our worship. Members of the congregation share their musical talents during service, both instrumentally and vocally. We always welcome new musicians to join us; we rehearse around 10:15 a.m. each Sunday. Contact our Music Director, Rita Pihra-Majurinen, for more information.
The Service
You will notice that having members actively involved in worship is typical; many members volunteer to read from the Scriptures, for instance. During the sharing of the peace, many worshipers enjoy leaving the pews to shake each other's hands, but some worshipers prefer to remain in the pews. All are encouraged to share the peace in their own comfort zone.
Communion and Offering
We have Holy Communion every Sunday, and all are welcome, including those who are not yet members or are not confirmed Lutherans. Participants approach up the center aisle and may take bread only or bread and wine or grape juice. On the way up to Communion (or at any convenient time), worshipers may drop a donation in the plate near the front of the center aisle (members have envelopes, but guests may donate without an envelope). Members typically return to their pews down the two side aisles. After Communion, some like to go the front right corner of the church to light a candle for special private prayers before returning to their seats.
Closing and Coffee Hour
For the final song of the day, children offer all worshipers hand instruments to use for percussion to accompany our singing. Following worship, all are welcome to the adjacent Soul Café for refreshments and socializing.
Interested in Sunday School, First Communion, Confirmation classes?
Please speak with Pastor Ruiz directly.