Frequently Asked Questions
What is Martin's Lutheran Church's affiliation?
Martin's Lutheran Church is a congregation of the ELCA.
Here is a description from the ELCA website:
"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. For us, as the ELCA, this faith comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world.
We are a church that is always being made new, and at the same time, is deeply rooted in Scripture, Lutheran theology and Lutheran confessions. We are also rooted in the vibrant, diverse communities and rich histories of our congregations. It’s through these roots that the Holy Spirit guides and nourishes us so that we can be a church that is both resilient and always new.
We welcome you to join this community of faith — the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — regardless of your age, race, gender, life experience, complexities and questions. You have a unique story that can only add to the richness of the larger story that makes up the ELCA. There is a place for you here!"
When are the worship services? What are they like?
Worship services take place every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
The worship services rotate between three different settings: Traditional, Contemporary, and Praise & Worship. All three of these include great music offered by live musicians, responsive reading, and Holy Communion.
Traditional
Traditional services at Martin's Lutheran Church are just what it sounds like. We sing hymns straight from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal with one of our organists accompanying us every step of the way.
Contemporary
Contemporary services at Martin's Lutheran Church include music that we consider to be a step between what is considered traditional and modern. We use our very own book of contemporary worship songs that are printed in every pew ready to sing!
Praise & Worship
Praise & Worship services at Martin's Lutheran Church are just like what you would find in a big city. We have printed bulletins for this service, but most just follow along on the screen with the lyrics and responsive reading. You'll definitely recognize some of the songs we sing at this service, and you may find yourself learning something new!
Who is welcome to take communion? How is communion distributed?
All who believe in God's presence within the elements at the communion table are welcome to partake in communion.
Communion at Martin's Lutheran Church is served on the first, second, third, and fifth Sundays of every month. On the first Sunday, Communion is served kneeling at the rail; and the second, third, and fifth Sundays, Communion is served by a continuous tray.