We call it the Divine Service, not the People’s Service, because God serves us; we don’t serve him. What happens every Sunday morning is not about what we do for God, but it’s about what he does for us. God doesn’t need you in church. You need him. You need what he gives you in church: the forgiveness of sins. The primary reason we go to the Divine Service on a Sunday morning isn’t simply to pray to God or praise his name, but the primary reason is to receive the forgiveness of sins. We don’t go to give; we go to get. God serves us.
He serves us and gives us this forgiveness in three ways: Holy Baptism, the preaching of God’s Holy Word, and the Holy Communion. In these three gifts, God gives us what he accomplished through his Son on the cross. The death and resurrection of Christ is given to us in the waters of Baptism, through the preaching of the Gospel, and in his body and blood on the altar. In these three gifts, God serves us. He gives, and we receive.
We leave church with the confidence that God loves us, our sins have been taken away, and eternal life is ours, not because we have earned it or deserved it, but because God gives it. We leave church being fully served by God and receiving all that he has to offer us. We are strengthened and kept in the true faith unto life everlasting.
Not going to church is like not going to the doctor or not going to the grocery store. It’s a bad idea. You’re missing out on what God has to offer. The church isn’t a human institution, but rather, it’s a divine institution. God gave us Baptism, his Word, and his Supper for our good. He wants us to receive these gifts not for his sake but for yours. These gifts are your life-line.
“For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalm 84:10).
WHO CAN RECEIVE THE HOLY COMMUNION?
As members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod we believe, teach and confess that hidden beneath the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper are the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us His body and blood in this sacred meal for the forgiveness of sins, and where there is forgiveness of sins there is life and salvation. The person is truly worthy and well prepared to receive the Lord’s Supper who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
Therefore, as Holy Communion is a confession of faith and presupposes a unity of confession we request that only those who are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod participate in this meal. We respectfully request all visitors desiring to commune with us to speak with the pastor before the service. If you are a member of another confession (denomination) and would like more information about the Lord’s Supper and our confession, please see the pastor following the service.
