Worship at Our Savior

Worship is the center of our life together.  LCOS holds three regular services each weekend.  We also hold special services for Lent, Holy Week, Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, and other occasions.  Communion is offered at every weekend service.  We plan our services to follow the seasons and festivals of the church year, as established by the Revised Common Lectionary.  Our pastor preaches on the readings of the day, and all hymns and other music are carefully chosen to join in the proclamation of the Word.

Healing means to make "whole" in body, mind and spirit.  We offer special opportunities to pray for the healing that only God can bring.  On the third Sunday of each month at the 10:30 a.m. service, we offer the laying on of hands, a blessing, and anointing with oil in conjunction with Holy Communion.  Everyone in the congregation is invited to receive this blessing should they choose to do so. The laying on of hands and the anointing with oil are firmly rooted in the scriptures and the traditions of the early church.

We encourage lay people to participate in the leadership of worship.  There are places for all to serve.  Through the year people are invited to volunteer to assist in worship as greeters, ushers, worship assistants, communion assistants, acolytes (including torch bearers and Bible bearers), readers, and choir members.

Saturday Evening at 5:30 p.m.

• This is an informal service of Holy Communion, based on the ancient four-fold pattern of gathering, Word, meal, and sending. 
• The mood is warm and upbeat. 
• The congregational sings songs that appeal to a mix of generations, accompanied by acoustical guitar and keyboard.  Styles range from folk to contemporary, with a few "golden oldies" added to the mix. 
• We hold the service outdoors in the memorial labyrinth during summer months and in the sanctuary during the rest of the year. 

Sunday Morning 8:15 a.m. (September - May)

• This is a service of Holy Communion. While the service is informal, the liturgy-which is spoken-is structured and uses traditional language.
• The mood is quiet and contemplative.
• Hymns are chosen primarily from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship, with periodic supplements from other sources.
• Our organist accompanies hymns on the pipe organ and also plays inspiring preludes and postludes.
• The entire service is printed in the worship bulletin so that those who are unfamiliar with traditional Lutheran worship do not have to spend their time trying to figure out "what do I do next?"

Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m. (September - May) ~ 9:45 a.m. (June - August)

• This is a full liturgical service of Holy Communion that is rich in the heritage of the church.
• The mood is majestic and vibrant. 
• Our most well-attended service of the week. 
• We use the following settings, which are rotated seasonally: Settings Three, Four and Five from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship and Setting Five from With One Voice.
• Our organist plays inspiring preludes and postludes on the pipe organ. 
• The Chancel Choir leads the congregation in song and sings a wide variety of anthems which encompass much of the repertoire of the church. (10:30 service only)
• The psalm and portions of the liturgy are chanted. 
• Hymns are chosen primarily from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship, with periodic supplements from other sources. 
• The two Children’s Choirs and Handbell Choirs periodically take part in the 10:30 service. 
• During the summer (9:45 a.m.) soloists and small ensembles sing and play.
• The entire service is printed in the worship bulletin so that those who are unfamiliar with traditional Lutheran worship do not have to spend their time trying to figure out “what do I do next?” 
• A nursery is provided during this service for young children.
• Prayers for Healing -
  This year, on the third Sunday of each month, the Worship Planning Team will include prayers for physical/mental/spiritual healing at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. During the celebration of Holy Communion, worshipers will have the opportunity to come to the altar railing for special prayers, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil.

   

The Worship Committee has a blog ("Lutheran Church of Our Savior Worship and Music") at www.lcosworship.blogspot.com