There are those who find it advantageous to take part in Bible Information Studies before participating in worship services. This program helps those become more educated in Scripture, and gain a more appreciative understanding of the work of their Savior Jesus Christ.

As with any thing you're not familiar with, you should expect it to take at least a couple times to become familiar with the worship of Jesus.

Our worship is liturgical, which means that we have a set order of worship every week. Every Sunday we consistently focus on God's Word and Sacrament because only through the words of Scripture and in the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion does God freely offer us the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. These things are the only source of our spiritual growth.

Music is also an important part of our worship. Through our singing of hymns and other songs we express our thanks to God for his wonderful salvation. These powerful hymns remind us of the many wonderful things our Savior has done for us and for our salvation. They may take some time to learn, but once you've learned them you'll never forget them!

In our worship we sometimes use "traditional" forms along with modern language and applications. The "traditional" features of our worship bring us the best from God's Church throughout the ages, while the "contemporary" features remind us that God's promises of forgiveness, guidance and peace still apply to our daily lives. We pray that through worship your faith will be strengthened in those promises!

Elements of Worship
Christ Our Savior's worship usually includes the following:

The Confession of Sins - We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his law, and we plead for his mercy.

The Announcement of Forgiveness - The pastor announces the forgiveness of sins won for us by the perfect life and innocent sufferings and death of Jesus, our Savior.

A Song of Praise - The song of praise reminds us of the wonderful things God has done for us, not the least of which is the salvation he gives through Christ.

Prayer of the Day - The Church brings her concerns and prayers to a loving Father in heaven, who has shown great mercy and promised to hear our cries for help.

Scripture Lessons - The pastor reads three selections from the Bible. They usually include one selection from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament epistles (letters), and one from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John).

Children's Devotion - On the second and fourth Sundays of the month, the children at worship are often invited to the front of the church for a Law/Gospel object lesson designed especially for them.

Sermon - The pastor offers instruction and encouragement in a sermon, usually based on one of the three readings. Expect to hear God's guidance for dealing with the problems of life, along with the promises of forgiveness and eternal life in heaven through Jesus.

Response to the Word - We respond with offerings and prayers for the things God has promised us and for strength to do what he has asked.

Holy Communion - Currently we celebrate the Lord's Supper on every first and third Sunday of the month. Before communing, however, we ask our visitors to please speak with the pastor. The Bible tells us that Jesus' body and blood are present in the Sacrament, and that receiving the sacrament together is a public statement of oneness in our beliefs and commitment. We don't want to be presumptuous and put you in a position of stating agreement with our beliefs before we've had an opportunity to explain them. For this reason, Christ Our Savior Church practices close or closed communion. See the FAQ's for more about close communion.

Benediction - We hear one last assurance of God's guidance and love.

The Christian Church Year

Christ Our Savior's worship curriculum is organized around the Christian Church Year. It became a practice in the early Christian Church to observe Sunday as the day of public worship to commemorate many great events - the beginning of creation, Jesus' resurrection on Easter, and the sending of the Holy Spirit to the disciples in Jerusalem on Pentecost. Christ Our Savior Church continues this practice.
The Sunday's of the church year are arranged into two groups: the "Festival Half" and the "Non-Festival Half". The Festival Half runs from December through May and focuses on the life of Christ.

It includes:

Advent - Jesus' coming
Christmas - Jesus' birth
Epiphany - Jesus revealed as the Savior of the world
Lent - Jesus' suffering and death
Easter - Jesus' resurrection
Ascension - Jesus' return to heaven
Pentecost - God sends the Holy Spirit to the disciples

The Non-Festival Half is often referred to as the Sundays after Pentecost or the Trinity Season. This half of the year extends from June through November. There is no general theme that runs through these Sundays. The theme is dependent upon the sermon text which is chosen by the pastor. Mission Festival, Reformation Day, and Thanksgiving Day are special days which are recognized in this half of the church year.