What to Expect at Redeemer?
At Redeemer Lutheran Church, worship is simple at its heart: God comes to serve us with His gifts, and we receive them with thanksgiving. Every Sunday you will hear God’s Word read and faithfully preached, you will hear that your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake, and you will be encouraged to follow Him in every part of your life. The style of our worship changes from week to week. The message never does.
When We Gather
Services are Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and usually last about an hour. The later service is live-streamed if you’d like to get a feel for things before you visit in person.
How Should I Dress?
Come as you are. We hope you’ll find a comfortable environment where you can be yourself. Whether you’re in jeans or business casual, you’ll find people dressed like you at Redeemer. Look around and you’ll see married couples, singles, young people, older people, professionals, laborers, and stay-at-home parents, each with a life story of their own. Come and check things out on your terms.
What Will Be Expected of Me?
Feel free to be as anonymous as you like, and visit as often as you like. We hope you’ll come more than once so you can get a feel for the place.
There is an offering plate outside the sanctuary, but please don’t feel any obligation to give. You are our guest. Most of our members give online, so you’ll notice very few people using the plate.
What to Expect Each Month
— First Sunday: Divine Service, Setting One, with the Lord’s Supper
— Second Sunday: Creative Worship, with modern songs led by our worship team
— Third Sunday: Divine Service, Setting Three, with the Lord’s Supper. Some may recognize this as the familiar “page 15” liturgy from The Lutheran Hymnal, sung by generations of Lutherans.
— Fourth Sunday: A blend of Matins, the church’s historic morning service, and Divine Service, Setting Five, which draws on Martin Luther’s hymn-based German Service
— Fifth Sunday (when there is one): Divine Service, Setting Four, with the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is offered at both services on first, third, and fifth Sundays.
You can follow the whole service on the screens at the front of the church, and printed bulletins are available as well. Whether you grew up Lutheran or have never set foot in a Lutheran church, it’s easy to follow along, join in as you’re comfortable, or simply listen and take it all in.
Why the Variety?
Lutherans have long confessed that the particular forms of worship, such as the order of service, the style of music, and similar customs, are neither commanded nor forbidden by God. The Formula of Concord (Article X) teaches that each congregation is free to shape these things for the good of its people, so long as nothing is done carelessly and no one is hindered from hearing the Gospel.
We use that freedom gladly. The historic liturgies of the church and newer songs of praise express the same unchanging truth in different ways, and we believe our people are well served by both. We don’t think any one style makes a church more faithful than another. Worship is faithful when Christ is clearly proclaimed and His Sacraments are given as He instituted them. Our worship reflects who we are as a Northern Michigan congregation: reverent but unpretentious, simple and humble, with no show and no expectation that you already know what to do.
Children at Redeemer
Children are not just tolerated here, they are a joy and a gift in our worship. Wiggles and noise are part of what a healthy church sounds like, and no one is watching.
If at any point you or your little one simply need a change of scenery, we have three comfortable options: a cry room with a window into the sanctuary, a lobby with a TV streaming the service, and a nursery with toys and a TV as well. All three let you stay part of worship.
Between the Services
Sunday mornings don’t end when the first service does. At 9:15 there is coffee and a time of fellowship, and Pastor Jason leads a short opening with guitar, the children sing, but everyone joins in. Around 9:30, Sunday school classes begin for both children and adults.
Visitors are always welcome. If you’re new, this is one of the easiest places to meet people.
Holy Communion
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first, third, and fifth Sundays of the month.
The Lord’s Supper is one of Christ’s greatest gifts to His Church — the true body and blood of Jesus, given and shed for you, received in bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
Because this gift is so precious, Scripture calls us to receive it with care. If you have any questions please reach out to Pastor Jason.