We’re building a #biggerTable and all are welcome – newcomers, members and friends. We have in-person and online worship options, see below.
Go to: Details on Altar Live, our online worship experience || Simple prep for online, home worship
Worship & Devotions
We’re building a #biggerTable and all are welcome – newcomers, members and friends. We have in-person and online worship options, see below.
Go to: Details on Altar Live, our online worship experience || Simple prep for online, home worship
Wednesday Evening Worship in Lent
Wednesdays, March 1-29
Simple supper at 6 PM in the fellowship hall
7 PM in-person & online via Altar Live
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Learn about this artwork (pdf)
Palm Sunday Worship
8:30 AM in-person & online via Altar Live
Bulletin: Apr. 2 8:30 AM worship (pdf, coming)
9:45 AM in-person & online via Altar Live
Bulletin: Apr. 2, 9:45 AM worship (pdf, coming)
11 AM in-person & online rebroadcast via Altar Live
Bulletin: Apr. 2, 11 AM worship (pdf, coming)
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Monday-Friday
9 - 9:15 AM
Meeting ID: 882 5346 2080
Password: 869601
What morning prayer means to participants
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Learn about this artwork (pdf)
Maundy Thursday Worship
April 6
7 PM in-person & online via Altar Live
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Easter Sunrise Worship
Sunday, April 9
6:30 AM
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Easter Festival Worship
Sunday, April 9
8:30 & 11 AM
In-person & online via Altar Live
And join us at 9:45 AM for a community brunch & egg hunt!
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GSLC's COVID-19 protocols are set by our COVID-19 Task Force.
Our goal has always been to provide a caring community. We've implemented a tiered approach to adapting to changes in the City of Alexandria CDC-identified community levels:
What can you expect?
For more information about community transmissions levels and guidance, visit the CDC website.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Pastor Kate or any other member of the COVID-19 Task Force (Sue Cottrol, Lori Strauss, Denise Steene).
You may want to light a candle for worship.
We’ll celebrate Holy Communion even when we're apart.
During worship, Pastor Kate will speak the comforting words, “In the night in which He was betrayed…”
GSLC communion bread recipe | Making GSLC communion bread (video)
How do I access Altar Live?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we've gathered on Zoom for Morning Prayer at 9 AM on weekdays (and occasionally Saturdays). We use a form for prayer based on ancient liturgies, called Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals. This liturgy grew out of The Simple Way community in inner Philadelphia, led by Shane Claiborne, and is used by faith communities around the world.
Lisa Howard runs our technology and leads the liturgy. Brenda Froberg crafts prayers reflecting the prayers of our community, the world and observances of the day. Bill Susling offers or curates music.
All are welcome, whether occasionally or regularly. Prayer request can be sent to Lisa regardless of attendance.
An uplifting start each morning
We are grateful to Pastor Jen for having started a fixed time for group daily prayer at the start of the pandemic and for continuing it until her departure. We are so very privileged to have continued this practice.
Words cannot adequately describe how uplifting it is to start mornings in the company of this band of "prayer warriors." It is a blessing to be able to pray for, on behalf of, and with individual family members and friends, as well as for members of our congregation and the church community as a whole. It is also empowering to have the opportunity to lift our collective voice along with that of fellow believers across the country, and around the globe, in support of the marginalized, the outcast, the poor, and on specially designated days of recognition.
Everyone is welcome to join this daily ministry whenever they can. Feel free to email prayer requests. We look forward to continuing to serve Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in this ministry as long as there continues to be a need.
In Gratitude,
Brenda Froberg and Lisa Howard
Community in this powerful, welcoming group
Nate and I moved to Alexandria from MacDill AFB in Florida. We are a military family and have moved quite often. However, this move was unique in that it was at the onset of the pandemic. The stress of moving to a new place with no friends or family was difficult. I was looking for churches in the area and was excited to find Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with the offering of a daily prayer group.
I started attending the prayer group via Zoom and immediately felt uplifted and encouraged. I feel a strong sense of community within this powerful, welcoming group. The daily routine of the group: reading scripture, fellowship, and lifting our fellow beings up in prayer is now foundational to my daily life. It has led to my growth and evolution of connection and faith.
I am sincerely grateful for the group and know miracles have happened as a result of these daily prayers.
Thanks so much for what you do!
Lisa "Kitty" B
Worship
Sept.-June schedule
In-person and online
Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 AM
Sunday School at 9:45 AM (starts in worship, leads directly to education time)
In-person and online
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.
Summer worship
In July and August, we have one 10 AM worship service each Sunday. These tend to be a blend between the traditional and casual. There’s always a communion meal and children’s message. We often have special music in the summertime.
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.
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.