What to Expect
Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church! It is a great joy that you are planning on joining us in worship of our God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We understand that it is sometimes awkward attending a church for the first time and so we would love to be able to share with you a little bit about what to expect when you join us .
What is a typical worship service like?
Our Worship Service begins at 10:30 am each Sunday morning. Most people show up a little early and spend the time preparing for the Service in prayer to hear God's Word and receive His body and blood in Holy Communion. We worship using the historic liturgy that has been passed down in the Christian church over the centuries, most typically drawn from the Lutheran Service Book. Our worship is reverent and respectful, engaging and encouraging as we are gathered by our Lord to receive His gifts in Word and Sacrament and respond with our prayers, praise, and giving thanks. We respond to God's great riches in Christ by using a mix of the best of ancient and modern hymnody of the Church. Our church services typically last between an hour to an hour and a half.
What about the Lord's Supper?
We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion every Sunday; and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday, and Holy (Maundy) Thursday. At Zion Lutheran Church, we observe the historic Christian practice of Closed Communion. This practice arises from an understand of Scripture which sees participation in the Lord's Supper as a visible sign of doctrinal unity. Where unity does not yet exist, we respectfully ask that a person refrain from partaking until there has been an opportunity for further discussion with the pastor.
We believe, teach and confess that our Lord invites to His table all those who believe that Christ's true body and blood are present in, with and under the bread and wine in the Sacrament (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25), who trust in His promises, repent of sins, and forgive others as they have been forgiven. In so doing, we proclaim His death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:26) and declare our unity in the faith (1 Cor. 10:17). Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their harm (1 Cor. 11:17-29) and because Holy Communion is a public confession of faith, any who have not yet been baptized or instructed in the Christian faith, or who regularly worship with a denomination other than the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, are asked out of love and concern to refrain from partaking of this Sacrament until we have had the opportunity for further discussion. Those who would like to receive a blessing may come forward and cross your arms over your chest as a sign to the pastor. Please feel free to speak with the Pastor and/or Elder before the Service if there are any questions.
What about children?
Children and encouraged to attend the entire Divine Service with their families. On non-Communion Sundays (2nd and 4th Sundays of the month) we also have a Children's Chat, where the children are invited forward to the chancel for a short lesson. Children are also invited to the Communion rail when we celebrate the Sacrament for a special blessing.
What should I wear?
While you will see people dressed both casually and formally, we ask that you please consider the great importance of being in the presence of God and receiving His gifts not only in your attitude, but also in your manner of attire.
We also have both Children's Sunday School and Adult Bible Class beginning at 9:00 am each Sunday. Everyone meets in the sanctuary for a joint opening after which the children go down stairs to their respective classes and the adults move to Luther Hall. Here, we take time to study God's Word in depth and see how it applies to our lives for the strengthening of our faith in Christ and our love for one another.
Want to learn more?
You are welcome to call the church office at (208) 466-6746 or email Pastor at pastor@zionlutherannampa.com.
A view from the chancel looking out into the nave.
The altar.
The large stained glass window in the choir balcony installed in 1948 and paid for by the children's Sunday School offerings.
The original altar painting at Zion illustrates a scene of the Ascension of Christ.
The chapel room located at the west end of the church.
Luther's Rose stained glass window next to the chapel, made and donated by a member in 2019.