Visitor's Guide to our Worship Services

Our Worship services are designed to be a two-way conversation with God -- he speaks to us through his Word and Sacraments, and we speak to him through our prayers, praises and offerings.


Attending church somewhere for the first time can be intimidating. Here are some common worries:

"I would just die if they made me stand up and say something." We assure you, we won't embarrass you in this or any other way. We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us. Church should be an enjoyable and uplifting experience. We promise to do all we can so you can learn about your Savior.

"I know my child is going to be too noisy." We offer a quiet room during our services where parents may sit with their more "active" children.  Feel free to take your child to the room anytime during the service. You may still enjoy the service as video and audio is piped into the room.

"I know I will feel out of place." We hope that this description will ease your mind, but if you have a question, please ask someone for help. Don't hesitate to say, "I'm new. What is this about?"

"I am afraid I will say or do something wrong." All of us have felt this way when in a new situation. But we hope you see our family at Gloria Dei Church is full of ordinary people like you, who aren't above messing up once in a while.

"I just want to watch at first and I know that they will try to involve me or sign me up." It is unpleasant to be pressured or to be part of a "membership drive" as though we were heads of cattle, isn't it? We believe that church membership is a voluntary thing, and that the most important thing is to trust in our Savior Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. It takes time for this to be cultivated. People need time to evaluate and decide if they want to get further involved. We respect that need.

"I don't know that much about the Bible."  Worship and Bible study are opportunities to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and faith in Jesus. You won't have to answer any questions you don't want to answer. You won't be called on to answer anything.  We simply hope to be a place where you can grow --as we all try to be.

"Most churches I've been to are filled with 'hypocrites." This is a common complaint about Christian churches. People expect to enter a church and find "perfect people" there. We make no such claims about ourselves. People who would make statements like the above one need to realize that the church is a spiritual hospital. It's not for healthy people; it's for sick people. Jesus himself said: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Mt 9:12). Jesus is the Great Physician of our souls. So don't come to Gloria Dei Church expecting to find perfect people. We're far from perfect! As the bumper sticker says: "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven."

What should I wear when I come to Gloria Dei Church?

Sometimes people wonder how they are expected to dress at a church they've never visited before. Since the Bible presents no dress code, aside from simple modesty, we don't make any rules either. Like most people, our members try to make their worship time at church a special time. This is often reflected in the way they dress.

However, on any given Sunday you may see running shoes and high heels, jeans and suits, open collars and ties. When a person dresses out of love for God, the choice of dress (casual or more formal) is acceptable to God . . . and to us.

What about the offering?

"When will they take the offering?" "How will it be collected?" "How much am I expected to give?" "Do they want visitors to contribute too?" These are typical worries about church offerings.

Scripture teaches that our offerings to God should reflect our belief that everything we have is a gift of God. The bible tells us that "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). In other words, don't feel compelled by guilt or embarrassment to give an offering. We want all offerings to be made freely and with joy, out of thanks to God for what he has done for us.

Like most Christians, our members bring offerings to God through their church. Since offerings are gifts of love for God, no one dictates what each person is to give.

We pass an offering plate after the sermon so that our worship may include bringing gifts to God. Offering envelopes are available to members to keep their gifts a private matter.

A child may bring the quarters and dimes his or her parents give him. Someone older may write a check. Both are remembering Jesus and giving their gift out of love for him.

You may wish at first to learn more about our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church. But you are welcome to participate as the Holy Spirit leads you to give.