The Divine Service: The Divine Service (German Gottesdienst) is the corporate act of worship of the Christian community. The primary focus of the Divine Service is not what someone does for or gives to God, but what God has done for and given for His people - namely, what He has done and gives in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the Divine Service, the congregation of St. Paul’s follows the liturgical pattern of the historic Christian church - with some elements of the service dating back nearly 2,000 years. The high points of the Divine Service are the proclamation/preaching of God’s Word and the reception of the Lord’s Supper/Holy Communion.
Communion: In keeping with the Biblical principles of 1 Corinthians 10 and 11, and as a congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), St. Paul’s practices Closed Communion. Holy Communion is a celebration of the unity of faith for the congregation of believers assembled. For this reason, those who commune should not only confess what the Bible teaches Holy Communion is, but also confess the same doctrine as those with whom they are communing. If you are a guest at St. Paul’s who wishes to commune, please speak to the Pastor prior to the service. For more information on the practice of closed communion within the LCMS, please click here