What to Expect

All Are Welcome

We gather every Sunday morning for worship in the sanctuary at 8:30 and 11:00am, with the 11am service live-streamed to Facebook and YouTube.  Typical Sunday services last about an hour and include forgiveness of sins, scripture, preaching, praying, Holy Communion, music, and community participation.  Here are a few things you can expect to find each time our community gathers for worship:

Welcome

All are welcome, and all means ALL!  Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran, from another denominational tradition, new to the Christian practice, skeptical toward God and wondering why you’re even in a church today, or any other place along life’s journey, you have a place at Muhlenberg.  We worship, teach, and lead in an expression of the rich theological tradition of Lutheranism, but our community comes from a wide array of backgrounds and finds a place where they can worship and grow. You’re also welcome to come as you are!  We worship God, not a dress code, so we worship together as we are comfortable – some wear jeans, t-shirts, dresses, scrubs after a shift, slacks, and ties.  Regardless of how you are dressed, first and foremost, we believe that we are clothed in grace.

Sacraments

A sacrament is an act commanded by Jesus that uses a physical element and is connected with God’s promise given through the Word. While God’s grace can be found in may ways, a sacrament is a place where God promises to show up with the gift of faith.  Our worship begins and ends facing the baptismal font - first, remembering we are baptized and forgiven, then at the end of worship, being sent out into the world with a calling to serve.  Each time we gather on Sunday morning, we receive Holy Communion, which we believe is Christ's true presence in bread and wine - for you.  Baptism and Communion are our two sacraments, and you'll see them as central in our worship.

Liturgy

Our worship follows a liturgy, with words mostly taken from scripture and the ancient traditions of the church.  Don't worry - it's all printed in a bulletin you'll receive as you come in, so hopefully you should have no problem joining right in and participating in worship, even if it's a little unfamiliar. There is a reason we say some things - prayers, creeds, etc. - each week, as they become a part of us and the words of faith we can cling to.  Our worship changes with the seasons and follows the calendar of the liturgical year - from high points at Easter, Christmas, All Saints, Pentecost, and other festivals, there is room for everything - just like life, there is a season for everything.

Community

Alongside the means of grace, God’s Word, and the ancient traditions of the liturgy, our neighbors in the pews and worshiping online are an essential part of worship. Worship is not a private affair, but a communal experience.  While there are individual moments of reflection, we take seriously the call to be one body in Christ our Lord, and encourage all who worship at Muhlenberg to greet each other and build authentic relationships.  We also find that not only is music is central in our worship and something people consistently share that brings them to Muhlenberg, but singing together builds the harmony of our community.  From incredibly deep choral and instrumental music, congregational singing, and time for reflection, there is something for you here that will connect you to a movement that is greater than yourself.

We hope you experience worship at Muhlenberg as deeply rooted, firm in tradition but relevant and always connected to our real lives today. If you have any questions about what is happening or why, please feel free to reach out to the pastors!