Authentic Lutheran Worship
in Lexington
We hope that you will join us for worship while you are in Lexington or anywhere in the Bluegrass Region. There are many factors that make choosing a church difficult or even intimidating. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions and their answers that we hope make your visit a little more comfortable. We want more than anything else for you to come and hear the Good News of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection with us here at St. John’s. If your questions are not answered on this page, feel free to call our church office or use the form below to send us an email.
Sunday Worship Services with Holy Communion – 8am & 10:30am
Sunday School and Adult Bible Class
– 9:15-10:15am
Details on special services for Advent, Lent and holidays can be found in the calendar.
What will the worship service be like?
Our worship services combine all the traditional elements of the Divine Service with fresh, modern language that changes weekly. You can be confident that we will confess our sins together and hear Jesus’ promise of forgiveness. We will hear three readings from the Bible. We will hear the Gospel preached. We will sing hymns accompanied by our pipe organ or piano. We will pray together for our church family, our community and world. We will hear Jesus’ Words of Institution as we break bread together for the Sacrament of the Altar. While our language may be fresh, our practice is deeply steeped in tradition. All of this will be printed for you in a service folder that makes your part truly simple.
Can I take communion?
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is something that we truly value as Lutheran Christians. We value it so much so that we have chosen to take part in it every week. We know that God can offer no clearer a gift than the physical offering of Himself for the forgiveness of our sins and for the strengthening of our faith.
We believe that Jesus Christ is present in this Sacrament and that in this meal we receive His body and blood along with the bread and wine. We further believe that in this Sacrament we receive the forgiveness of sins and strength to live the Christian life. A worthy communicant is one who accepts the words of Jesus; “This is My body; this is My blood.”
In preparation for coming to the Lord’s Table the following questions are helpful:
Am I sorry for my sins and desiring of God’s forgiveness?
Do I believe in Jesus as my Savior?
Do I believe His body and blood are truly present in the sacrament in, with and under the bread and wine?
If your answer is yes to these questions, please join us at the Lord’s Table.
We offer communion both with the common cup and individual glasses. If you would prefer the common cup, let the tray of glasses pass and the pastor will offer the cup to you. If you have any dietary restrictions, please see an elder before the service begins.
What do I do with my children?
Knowing that God offers very real gifts to his family through the Divine Service, we would encourage children of all ages to worship with their families. Jesus encouraged his disciples to have faith like a child, and there is much that we can learn from the simple way that our children worship alongside us.
In the narthex you will find bags of quiet toys for your children to enjoy during worship. There are also children’s worship bulletins available weekly with activities for older children to use. We also have children’s messages on the first and third Sundays of the month.
It is no surprise to us that kids are squirmy and occasionally loud and distracting. This is a natural side effect of worshiping with all the generations of God’s family together. If you choose to step out to let a louder tantrum pass, please come back when it’s over. There is a cry room in the rear of the sanctuary for these occasions. If anyone turns to look and see what’s going on, please know that it is not in judgement but loving interest. Our family loves to see the little ones who worship with us.
What should I wear?
While we understand that this may be one of the most stressful parts of visiting a new church, please trust that this is the least of our concerns for you. On any given Sunday, you will find both someone dressed in shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt, and someone dressed in a suit and tie. While some may say that we dress our best in respect for a God who gives us His best, another might say that they are thankful for a God who accepts us just as we are. Dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable.
What is expected from me?
As a visitor to our church home we want you to know that worship with us is intended to be comfortable and welcoming. We know that there are many personality types of visitors. Some prefer to be personally welcomed and introduced and some prefer to slip in quietly and unnoticed.
We take an offering every Sunday in support of the work of God’s church. As believers, we respond to God’s great love to us by returning some of what He has given us for the work of His kingdom. It is perfectly fine if you choose to get to know us a little better before putting anything in the plate. What you give and who you entrust it to, is a matter between you and God.
