Visiting any church for the first time can be a little intimidating, to help you feel at ease at Greenford Lutheran we’ve put together some answers to common questions that we hope will answer your questions and reduce your stress level when you visit us. To learn more read the helpful hints we have below or just browse around the rest of this site. Please, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
You can check out our map for directions before you head out Sunday morning, and once you get here you’ll find plenty of parking, including handicapped spaces at the west and south entrances of the church [For those that like land marks more than compass points, one handicap parking section is near the driveway marked entrance and the other handicap parking section is located behind the church.] The building is wheelchair-accessible from the south entrance (back parking lot). Coat racks and restrooms are available as you make your way to the sanctuary.
Because we have a historical church building dating back to the horse and buggy days the front church entrance is located right up against the road way, so the main parking lot is located behind the church. Since it’s more convenient to enter from the main parking lot in the back, the majority of worshipers enter from the parking lot entrances rather than the front doors by the road. All of these entrances bring you into our main fellowship hall which has an entrance to the front of our sanctuary. Ushers are located at both entrances to the sanctuary and will give you a bulletin, gladly answer any questions you have, assist you in finding a seat, and help you if you need assistance getting in.
Relax, we will not ask you to stand up and introduce yourself or be introduced to the congregation.
We will greet you with smiles and handshakes, and welcome you to worship with us while respecting that your relationship with the Lord is a personal matter, and that your attendance is not for our benefit but for the honoring of our God.
God accepts us as we are – no matter who we are, what we do, or how we dress. We do not have a dress code. Worshipers at Greenford Lutheran wear anything from jeans and tee shirts, to slacks and golf shirts, to suits and ties. Please wear whatever you feel honors God and makes you comfortable in God’s house.
Children are welcome, our savior Jesus Christ set the standard when he said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). We have a “Kids Corner” located near the sanctuary entrance. Here you will find quiet activities such as books, crayons, etc for children to use during the service. On non-communion Sunday’s children are invited to come forward for a short Children’s sermon. We do have a “quiet room” in the balcony that allows parents to remain in the worship with a noisy fidgety child without distracting other worshipers. We also have "nursery" room for parents with infants located at the back of the church for a quiet space to nurse or feed your infant. If you need to leave the sanctuary with your child during the service, please feel comfortable to do so at any time.
At some point in worship, usually after the sermon, offering plates will be passed around. This is an opportunity for our regular members to actively respond to all God has given them by freely giving to support Christ's mission through the ministries at Greenford Lutheran. We do not expect guests to put anything in the offering plate, though you are welcome to do so.
You can follow the worship by using the bulletin hand out or, if you don't like using paper. you can follow along by looking at either side of the altar area where the words of the bulletin are projected. You can choose to pick up a hymnal for songs or again use the words projected on the front wall to join in singing. Greenford Lutheran's worship style is mostly traditional but often will draw on contemporary worship music resources.
We welcome to the communion table all who are baptized and believe Christ is truly present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine and that receiving this sacrament brings forgiveness of sins. Children not receiving communion are invited to come forward for a blessing.
Holy Communion comes toward the end of the service. Ushers will indicate when it’s your pew’s turn to approach the altar. If you choose to participate, join the line in the center aisle, if you choose not to commune stay in your pew. If you're communing, the ushers will invite you to proceed down the aisle up to the altar area. The first Sunday of the month we commune at the altar rail and the third Sunday of the month we commune at the altar step. A more detailed explanation of our communion process is found inside the front cover of each hymnal in the pew. So you can check out instructions in the hymnal prior to communing. Either way bread is offered (gluten free is available) as well as wine and grape juice with the words of Jesus "This is my body and blood given for you for the forgiveness of sins, do this in remembrance of me." Once you've communed simply return to your seat using the outside aisles.
If you wish to take communion but are unable to walk to the front of the church, just notify the usher, and the pastor will bring the bread and wine/grape juice to you at your pew.