Question 1

"What time is the service on Sunday?"

Accepted Answer

We have one service every Sunday beginning at 9 AM.

Question 2

"I've never been to a Lutheran service. What should I expect?"

Accepted Answer

We want to welcome you to Zion if you've never been to a Lutheran service! Here, we follow the Lutheran liturgy from our hymnal—The Lutheran Service Book (LSB). A liturgical service is what many call a "traditional" service. It's a structured, ordered, formal, and respectful service. You'll notice a lot of interaction between the pastor and the congregation during the service. The congregation participates a lot in the service. At certain times, the congregation speaks, sings, stands, sits, and even kneels together! We know it is easy for first-time visitors to get lost in the service. If that's the case, don't worry! All of us at the church had to learn it once, too! But after a few Sundays, you will get so used to the liturgy that you won't even need to use a hymnal! Many of our church members have the service memorized and have learned it by heart. If you visit, one of the congregation members will be happy to help you follow along in the service!

We know the liturgy is challenging, but it's also worth learning! It is a beautiful and timeless gift! If you have questions about the service, the liturgy, or anything else in the church, don't hesitate to contact our pastor!

Question 3

"Do you have a Contemporary Service?"

Accepted Answer

We know contemporary and modern church services are prevalent nowadays. Still, at Zion, we've chosen to follow the church service from our Lutheran hymnal: The Lutheran Service Book (LSB). Our Lutheran church has published a hymnal, and as members of the Lutheran Church, and for the sake of unity in our congregations, we've all agreed to use the same hymnal because we genuinely value and treasure the gift of the liturgy in our church as well.

Question 4

"How long is the service?"

Accepted Answer

A typical Sunday church service lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Several factors can affect the length of the service: the season of the church year, the number of members in the service, the length of the sermon and hymns, baptisms, confirmations, and so on.

Question 5

"What should I wear?"

Accepted Answer

While we certainly want everyone to wear their "Sunday best," and while we strive for it, we understand that various circumstances (work, vacation, etc.) affect what you can wear on any given Sunday. If that's the case, don't let this keep you from attending church or visiting! That you're in church is more important than what you wear in it!

Question 6

"Are there screens in the church?"

Accepted Answer

We know screens have become an integral part of modern society and that many churches have used them in the sanctuary. However, at Zion, we've chosen not to use screens in the sanctuary for a few reasons: 
1) It's good to get a break from watching a screen for an hour.

2) Screens can be very distracting. Screens call attention to themselves, and it's tough to focus on anything else in the sanctuary while a screen is present (this is especially difficult for children).

3) It's good for the pastor, congregation, and members to see one another face-to-face throughout the service. This fosters a sense of community and engagement that is unique to our church.

4) Screens in the sanctuary are unnecessary. Since we follow the liturgy, the service stays the same weekly, with only slight variations, if any.

Question 7

"Do you perform 'child dedication' ceremonies?"

Accepted Answer

First, it's great that you want to dedicate your child to God! We thank God for giving you that desire! At Zion, we believe that Baptism is for all people, regardless of nationality, sex, or age (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:39). So, while we don't perform any "child dedication ceremonies," we believe in Holy Baptism, especially for infants. We take Jesus' words to heart: "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14).

If you want your child baptized, don't hesitate to contact our pastor!

Question 8

"Is there 'Children's Church'?"

Accepted Answer

While we don't offer "children's church" during the service, we do offer Sunday school for all ages after the service, which you are welcome to join! At Zion, we welcomed all children and parents to the service together. The best place for children is in church with their parents. That said, we also know that adjusting to the service takes children a while. And we know that children can be noisy at times. Don't let this keep you from attending church or bringing them! Our pastor won't be angry with you or ask you to take your children out. We have a church nursery for parents with small children and nursing infants if you need some privacy.

Question 9

"Do you practice open or closed communion?"

Accepted Answer

While we certainly want everyone to commune at Zion, we want everyone to commune worthily. So, for that reason, we practice Closed Communion, which means that our pastor only gives communion to those who have publicly professed the same faith that we believe, teach, and confess. We realize that this may sound strange and come across as unwelcoming to people. But we're not doing this out of anger or spite. Instead, we do this out of great love, care for you, and faithfulness to God's Word in 1 Corinthians 11:27–31. If you genuinely want to become a church member and receive communion, we invite you to talk with our pastor and learn more about the Lord's Supper and church fellowship.

Question 10

"Is this a conservative or liberal church?"

Accepted Answer

We are what many would call a "conservative" congregation because we hold "traditional" values. These values aren't based on our political opinions; instead, we draw our values from Holy Scripture. We believe every Word of the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. And for that reason, we don't follow the ever-changing definitions and teachings of the world around us. We believe that God, the Maker of heaven and earth, determines the truth about male and female, marriage, roles of men and women, children, families, and so on.

Question 11

"Can I receive communion?"

Accepted Answer

We are glad you want to receive communion! We want you to, too. We ask that all visitors (even members of other Lutheran churches) please speak with the pastor. Our pastor has vowed before God to commune only those who have publicly professed the same faith that we believe, teach, and confess. If you plan to attend, please get in touch with our pastor the week before the Sunday service.

We realize that this may sound strange and come across as unwelcoming to people. But we're not doing this out of anger or spite. Instead, we do this out of great love, care for you, and faithfulness to God's Word in 1 Corinthians 11:27–31. If you genuinely want to become a church member and receive communion, we invite you to talk with our pastor and learn more about the Lord's Supper and church fellowship.

Question 12

"Can I get married in this church?"

Accepted Answer

First, we thank God for your upcoming wedding and desire to marry in the church! Marriage is an exceptional and sacred gift from God, and we pray that God blesses your lives together! Since engaged couples ask for Christ's blessing upon their marriage, we consider the wedding a service of the church, reserved for members of the congregation in good standing. If you are not a church member and would like to become one, we invite you to talk to our pastor to find out how to become a member of the Lutheran church.

Question 13

"Why is there a crucifix in your church?"

Accepted Answer

At Zion, we have a crucifix in the church because we believe that what Jesus did for us on the cross is central to the Christian faith. St. Paul himself writes, "We preach Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23). While we sing about the cross in our hymns and hear about it in the sermons, we believe the crucifix is a "sermon for our eyes." The crucifix is a powerful symbol and a constant reminder of God's great love for us (John 3:16).

Question 14

What time are the Midweek Advent and Lent services?

Accepted Answer

We have Midweek Advent and Lent services every year on Wednesdays at 7 PM. We follow the liturgy of Vespers for each service. Also, every Advent and Lent, we follow a new sermon series announced a few weeks before each season begins. We would love to have you join us!

Question 15

"What time is the Sunday Bible Study?"

Accepted Answer

The Sunday Bible study begins after the service at 10:45 AM. We meet in the church fellowship hall. You are welcome to have coffee and refreshments after the service. We hope to see you there!

Question 16

"Which service do you use?"

Accepted Answer

At Zion, we use the Lutheran Service Book (LSB) and follow Divine Service, Setting 3 (p. 184). This is known as the "Common Service," the first common liturgy used among English-speaking Lutherans in the United States (1887). This service is challenging but beautiful. If you have questions about the service or liturgy, please get in touch with our pastor!

Question 17

"Which lectionary do you use?"

Accepted Answer

At Zion, we use the Historical One-Year Lectionary. We believe that there are a couple of good reasons to use it:

1) The majority of church history has used the Historic One-Year Lectionary. It's wonderful because we can refer to and read sermons on the same texts from early church fathers, the reformers, and other theologians.

2) Repetition is the mother of learning. We believe that using the same lessons year after year is a powerful tool for learning them by heart. While the sermon on those readings changes yearly, the lessons remain the same.

Question 18

"I'm from another LCMS Church. What should I do?"

Accepted Answer

Welcome! If you're from another LCMS church and want communion, please get in touch with our pastor as soon as possible. It's best to contact him on a weekday before the Sunday you plan to attend!

Question 19

"How do I transfer my membership?"

Accepted Answer

We are glad that you are interested in membership at Zion! If you'd like to transfer your membership, please speak to our pastor first. After some conversation, he can guide you on the next steps!

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS