As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”
Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
— Luke 10:38-42
For recordings of our services, see the Archive page.
The following is based on the welcome sheet we give to visitors to our church.
We are always delighted to welcome visitors to St. James. Here is a summary of what to expect in our services.
We believe that the highest worship is to hear the Word of Christ and believe it, as Mary, the sister of Martha, did in the biblical account quoted above.
In our worship, we receive the triune God’s gifts of Word and Sacrament, and we give Him thanks for them and for all His blessings. As we worship, we try to do the things commanded in the bible and avoid those that are forbidden. For things neither commanded nor forbidden, we believe we may, in Christian freedom, do what is helpful, if it is done “decently and in good order” and with respect for the Word of God.
So we have kept many practices of the pre-reformation Church, if they are in harmony with the bible and are beneficial to faith. We have special dress for our ministers; we have crosses, candles. banners, and musical instruments. These are not essential. But they remind us of things we believe are important.
We will be confessing our faith together in the words of the Nicene Creed. Some religious groups do not use creeds, although their members might believe what is in the them. So we invite you to say the creed with us, or not, as you feel is right for you. No one in the congregation will notice or be concerned either way. This is true for the service generally: Please speak, pray, and sing with the congregation, as you wish, and enjoy your visit with us.
If you are not a member of a church that is in fellowship with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, we do respectfully ask that you refrain from taking communion while you visit. We believe that receiving the Lord’s Supper is, among other things, a symbol that those who receive it share the same beliefs – especially beliefs about what is in the Supper and what it does for us. So we ask non-LCMS visitors to refrain, just as we refrain from taking communion in other churches.
In our services, what we say, sing, and pray is written down. Much of it is taken directly from the bible. It is usually the same each Sunday, aside from the specific bible readings, sermon, and hymns for the day. Some people might see this as less meaningful than speaking and praying spontaneously, “from the heart.” But for us, we find that it helps our hearts speak and pray their best.
You’ll probably notice that our pastor wears a crucifix. Also, he will make the sign of the cross several times during the service. Many in the congregation will also cross themselves, especially after receiving communion. People are free to do this or not, as they see fit.
For us, this ancient symbol, making the sign of the cross, is like other gestures people use in worship: head bowed, kneeling, standing, hands together, or arms raised. These things are optional. They help people communicate and focus on what they are doing. So we don’t see the sign of the cross as something to avoid. Martin Luther advised us to remember our baptism as we make this sign. Since the memory of our baptism is a comfort, many of us cross ourselves, as we invite you to do yourself, as you wish.
Many churches do not use crucifixes, as they believe Christians must focus on the resurrection – the empty cross. In our church, we pay attention to Christ’s sacrifice for all people, just as we do to His resurrection. So we often depict the body of Christ on a cross. We certainly do not worship objects such as this. But they do remind us of what Christ suffered to purchase the world’s salvation, as well as the joy of His resurrection — and of ours in time to come.
Our prayer is for God the Holy Spirit to keep us steadfast in the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer, as in the passage from Acts, below.
We enjoy meeting visitors. We hope you’ll join us after the service and chat a while. If you have questions about what we believe or how we worship, our pastor will be happy to talk with you. If you are interested in a class with Pastor on the basics of the Christian religion, please let him know. The class has no cost or obligation to you.
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”
With many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
— Acts 2:38-42
The Word of the Lord endures forever.