Worship

We're still gathering for online worship for now due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic precautions. We’re building a #biggerTable and all are welcome – newcomers, members and friends (like our in-person worship, once we’re able to gather again).

Go to online worship schedule and links


Simple Preparations for Online, Home Worship

 

You may want to light a candle for worship.

 

We’ll celebrate Holy Communion even while we’re apart.

  • For most people having the physical elements of communion available will mean a piece of bread or cracker and a cup of wine, grape juice or water. Gluten-free bread or crackers are also welcome.
  • You don't need anything fancy to celebrate. Please, this isn't the time to joke on social media about your choice of wine or bread (a concern raised by our bishop).
  • Jesus used the most common and basic foods to bless so that Holy Communion would be accessible to all.

During online worship, Pastor Wendy will speak the comforting words, “In the night in which He was betrayed…”

  • The bread and wine you have at home will be tangible signs of God's promise to be present in, with and under the elements of Holy Communion.
  • We receive this meal and the forgiveness, grace and love it brings as an act of faith.
  • We trust that God will be where God has promised to meet us, transcending physical boundaries during the pandemic.

Pastor Jen talks about Holy Communion preparation (video) | A letter from Pastor Jen: Background considerations and discernment

GSLC communion bread recipe | Making GSLC communion bread (video)

  • Morning Prayer

    Monday-Saturday @ 9 AM

     

    Meeting ID: 882 5346 2080

    Password: 869601


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  • Sundays Sept. - June

    Join 8:30 AM worship online

    Meeting ID: 118 650 943

    Passcode: 477205

    Join by phone: 301-715-8592

    Find your local number


    Join 9:45 AM worship online

    Meeting ID: 837 0215 0341

    Passcode: 626045

    Join by phone: 301-715-8592

    Find your local number


    Join 11 AM worship online
    Meeting ID: 815 7708 3208
    Passcode: 379323

    Join by phone: 301-715-8592

    Find your local number

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We’re using Zoom to gather online for worship at this time. Zoom allows us to interact, even though we’re all participating from our homes:

  • Readers can read the Scripture for us.
  • Assisting ministers can lead prayers.
  • Music and a bulletin can even be shared on screen.
  • We'll share a children's message at the 9:45 AM Zoom service.
  • (We’ll even have an offering :-)

We’re glad technology allows us to gather even when we must be physically apart. In doing so, we’re working together to:

Worship

Sept.-June schedule

Sundays at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 AM

Sunday School at 9:45 AM (starts in worship,leads directly to education time)


What will I experience in worship at Good Shepherd?

  • A community of people who are passionate about growing in faith and reaching into the community around us with the love of God embodied by Jesus.
  • Worship that is joyful, inspiring and relevant to your life today.

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.

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).


Go to additional details

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.