Worship
What will I experience in worship at Good Shepherd?
Is there any difference among the worship services?
The 8:30 AM and 11 AM services (Sept. - June)
...tend to follow a more traditional liturgy that varies by church season (we change it up every six to eight weeks or so) and often includes the ancient form of chanting. The adult choir usually sings at the 11 AM service.
The 9:45 AM service (Sept. - June)
...is more casual in nature. Children begin in worship with their families and hear an opening prayer, gospel reading and children’s message before going to Sunday School. Some children choose to stay in worship rather than attend Sunday School and that’s okay too. This service usually uses the piano for accompaniment rather than organ.
On the fourth Sunday of the month, there’s no Sunday School and children remain with their families in worship. They also take worship leadership roles by reading Bible texts, helping to serve communion, collecting offering, etc.
All worship services
...follow a pattern of worship that includes singing, prayer, Bible readings, a sermon, communion meal, receiving offering and a children’s message. Occasionally, members of the congregation or others share a faith story as part of our worship. Services are about an hour long.
Summer worship
In July and August, we have two worship services each Sunday at 8:30 and 10 AM. These tend to be a blend between the traditional and casual. There’s always a communion meal and children’s message at both. We often have special music in the summertime.
What should I wear?
Please wear what you’re comfortable in when you join us for worship. Go to additional details
Children in Worship
At Good Shepherd we believe that worship is for all God’s children. Infants to children of every age are welcome to fully participate in worship, and parents with young ones can feel comfortable knowing that the sounds of children are part of our joyful praise.
Nevertheless, some parents prefer that their younger children be cared for in a nursery setting during worship. We have a staffed nursery during the 9:45 AM service (10 AM in July and August).
What is Communion?
Every week when we gather, we participate in Holy Communion, sometimes called Holy Eucharist. As we share in bread and wine, we believe that Christ is truly present in the sacrament and among us.
We welcome all baptized persons to join us for communion as they are comfortable doing so.
Baptism
What do I do if I would like to be baptized or have my child baptized?
That’s easy – talk to Pastor Jen! She typically meets at home with those desiring baptism for conversation about what baptism is (and isn’t!)
Baptisms are public acts done in the midst of a worship service so the one who is baptized experiences the love and prayers of the faith community they’re entering into.
We schedule baptisms throughout the year at any of the worship services on a mutually-convenient Sunday.
