Divine Service

St. Bartholomew's first and formost believes in the sharing of the Word of God with others (Matthew 28:19). Every week we do this through the Divine Service (see service times). 

  • We rotate between using different Divine Services.  By using the Divine Service we are able to guide those in worship throught the rememberance of their Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and also the Service of the Sacrament.
  • Our church uses the Three-Year lectionary, which provides Bible readings for each Sunday of the year on which our pastor preaches.  Preaching in the Lutheran Church consists of two major teachings, Law and Gospel.  The Law is God's commands to us and also shows us our sin, while the Gospel is God's promise of Christ and shows us our Savior. Both are equally important, for without the Gospel there is no hope of a savior and without the Law there is no need for a savior. (Check out past sermons here.)
  • Communion is celebrated at St. Bartholomew on a regular basis. If you are visiting St. Bartholomew we encourage you to read our communion statement (read below) and also speak with our Pastor about participating in the sacrament.
  • We have been blessed with a wonderful organ and talented organists to play hymns from The Lutheran Service Book each service.  

Even though in the Divine Service, we participate in singing hymns, praying, listening to Bible readings, and participatingin other parts of the liturgy, but that is not our focus. The Divine Service is where Christ himself comes to us! Through Word and Sacraments (Baptism, Lord's Supper and Confesstion & Absolution), we are reminded of Christ's life, death, and ressurection was all done for us. 

Communion Beliefs and Practices

LCMS Communion Statement:

The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as he says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but his very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with him and with one another. Our Lord invites to his table those who trust his words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as he forgives and loves us, that they may show forth his death until he comes. 

Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the sacrament, are asked first to speak with the pastor. 

For further study, see Matthew 5:23f.; 10:32f.; 18:15-35; 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:17- 34.

If you would like to learn more about the LCMS practice of closed communion and other topics partaining to the Lord's Supper you may visit the LCMS website. 

The LCMS has many partner churches around the world. You are able to find that list here.

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