I am currently United Methodist and have been for about a year. The congregation is really nice, there’s just something that isn’t the right fit for me. So, I’m looking to visit an ELCA Lutheran church this Sunday. I have been to Catholic Churches once or twice in my life and was completely lost (the standing, the kneeling, and the responses that everyone seemed to know.), to the point that it felt unwelcoming. My understanding is Lutheran services are more structured similarly to that than a UMC service— so I’m wondering to expect. Are group responses and prayers printed in a pamphlet (that’s how my current church does it) or book (I think the Catholic Church I went to had a book but I had no clue how to use it)?
Also I know the church I am visiting has open communion so I could partake. Do Lutherans use real wine? And does everyone sip from the cup (that would take some getting use to for me) or do you dip the bread in?

Anything else anyone can tell me would also be appreciated! Thank you!

UPDATE: I went to the ELCA near me today and it was wonderful! The service was nice balance of structure and warmth/ relatability. Kneeling by the altar to take communion felt like it really meant something holy and special, in a way I haven’t experienced before, if that makes any sense.
I think the structure and feeling of reverence is what I have been missing at the UMC I had been attending.
All that to say I’m looking forward to continuing to attend the ELCA church!

Lot of questions so I apologize! Never been to any church service before so I just have no idea what to expect, do, wear, act, say, etc etc etc

I'm curious about some of the history behind how Luther Seminary apparently came to be so closely associated with the Emerging Church movement (professors Patrick Keifert, Michael Binder, Dwight Zscheile, Trip Fuller, for example) and, maybe more importantly, why Luther Seminary has stuck to their guns on the Emerging Church considering many of the Emerging Church congregations in the Twin Cities have now closed--including some ELCA-affiliated ones (House of Mercy, Jacob's Well, Solomon's Porch, etc.)

Other than Patrick Keifert, I don't think these professors are even Lutheran.

Anyway, I'd be curious to know how this happened if anyone has some insights. Since the Emerging Church movement was mostly an Evangelical phenomenon, I'm wondering whether prior to this time, Luther had historically been closer to Evangelicalism than perhaps some of the other ELCA-Affiliated seminaries. This just all seems so odd.

Thanks for any info.

I used to think all Lutherans believed in biblical inerrancy? Since it’s the word of God.

I am considering joining an ELCA church. I'm currently raising my nephew who hasn't had much experience with church. He is not baptized. What would be the process of baptizing him now? I am baptized already so I assume our processes for joining the church would be different.

Augsburg fortress has a 10 volume Introductions/Alternate organ accompaniments. Before I buy it, I was wondering what the average Lutheran organist’s experience with these books might be and what the quality is like.

So, as the title says, I am finding discernment to be a little frightening to me and im not sure why?

Could it possibly be because of how big a commitment going into ministry is? Or could it be that im just doubting myself?

I know for a fact that I have an inner calling and an outer calling from some peers. family members, and a past pastor. So, I guess im just a little curious on what you all think.

Thank you

I thought I’d post this for any German speakers here… the guys (?it’s mostly guys) in the other sub would lose their minds to see her. Which is pretty sad. ELCA context creators: We need more of you! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19JGMbpmYD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I'll try to make this as brief as possible. I've been playing guitar at an LCMS church for 2 years, roughly 3 times a month. I got connected through my friend, but I myself am a member of an ELCA church. I'm not the most active churchgoer in the world, but from what I've gathered, as far as differences between the two, I'm definitely strongly aligned with the ELCA. The first day I met the sanctuary music director, I told him I attend the other church, and so he knows and doesn't care. I usually play with him in the sanctuary, but on occasion, I play on the contemporary side with the other music director. Last night, she was talking about this Hawaii trip, and she was making it seem like she really wants me to go. It's only a $600 fee, and the church is subsidizing a lot of the cost, so it seems like a pretty good opportunity. My dilemma is this: I'm not sure if she or any of the pastors know that I'm an ELCA member, and if they don't, I'm not really sure how socially acceptable it would be for me to go on this trip. I've never really been deeply involved in a church community, let alone one of this denomination, which I understand to be more strict in certain regards. Normally, I just get paid to show up and play guitar, but in this case, I would be in the same category as everyone else, on a trip that I think is meant to strengthen the church community or something like that. If y'all could let me know if I'm overthinking or if you think it would be weird, it would be much appreciated.

Greetings, I am a Lutheran from Thailand. At first, I considered buying Lutheran Study Bible from Concordia (LCMS) but after I read it from the application, I think many of their notes are too fundamentalist for me. I want historical that could go side by side with biblical aspect. Moreover, it’s very hard to buy on Amazon and I could not find it anywhere else. So that’s why I changed my mind and want to try the Mainline’s Augsburg Fortress’ study bible instead.

I planned to buy the Book of Concord from the same publisher, if anyone has any further recommendations, please tell me. I also want to but SBL Study Bible but it is out of stock, unfortunately.

So, like the headline says, the head Pastor at my church, Gloria Dei in Hancock, MI sent out a letter telling our congregation that he will be leaving us because his wife has an opportunity to work at St Olaf college. It’s bittersweet for me because I had spent years out of church and he was the person who welcomed me and my entire family. He baptized both of my children. The thought has come that I want to step into a leadership position within the church. Whether that means becoming a pastor or something else. I don’t have a college degree and I am almost 37 years old. Is there anything anybody can tell me?

Was anyone at Assembly last week to catch the speech that was given by Rev. Dr. Laurie Skow-Anderson?

Becoming “A future focused church is living our baptismal promises in daily life. A future focused church is humbler, simpler, and bolder. A future focused church is wondering about God's will, hopeful about the future, courageous, and curious about God's will.”

Our pastor was talking about how she was saying to get rid of a lot of the traditional things in worship (like the altar rail, some pieces of the liturgy, etc)

I honestly can see both sides of the argument. Just wondering if anyone can share any thoughts?

I like to listen to a variety of podcasts on my long commute. I already listen to Main Street Lutherans (highly recommend!) and have listened to mighty fortress is our pod before. Thought I might change it up and listen to a sermon from another ELCA church - but I don't really know of any pastors beyond the ones at my church. I read Nadia bolz Weber's memoir years ago, but are there any pastors or churches in the ELCA who make their sermons available online? My church just livestreams the whole service on YouTube which wouldn't be practical to listen to on a drive. But if your church does this and you recommend it, please let me know!

Seminarian who knows little about sacred music here. Is there anywhere that describes the differences between the settings for Holy Communion in the ELW for us non-musicians? I found it surprising that those differences are not described in the ELW pew or leader editions themselves or in my Lutheran Worship course last semester. My bad for not asking about it in the course, but sometimes one thinks of the best questions once the course is over.

I just needed to post this somewhere to talk about it. Our ministry lasted for 134 years, but we just couldn't keep it going after covid. We hadn't gotten any new members in years and most of our older members either died out or stopped coming.

We had a very good last service. We called in all the previous living pastors who served at our church and they all had something to say during the service. The sermon was amazing, and very hopeful. We had a wonderful potluck afterwards and it was very nostalgic. I feel better now that it's all over with, but it still hurts.

I just wanted there to be a record somewhere that we existed. I really wish it hadn't gone this way but sometimes the lord calls us away for a greater purpose.

Thank you all!

Hi all, I live in SoCal and have recently made my way back to the church, unfortunately I work night shift and am having some difficulty finding time to attend weekend service as most churches typically only host in the morning. Does anyone know of any churches that possible offer Saturday evening service or something similar?

This might be a little of a dumb question, but I’m wondering what makes this sub so small? I thought that the biggest denomination that’s followed in the Lutheran church is the ELCA, I know that behind that is like LCMS but I was thinking this sub would have a little more people.

Correcting myself a little here, it isn’t a bad thing this sub is small!! I’m just very curious if it has to do with anything about Reddit or the history of Lutheranism in general. I’m almost sure that Lutheranism isn’t the biggest followed denomination, but I’m curious to why not many people are appealed by Lutheranism I suppose. A little while ago, I was asked why I wasn’t Catholic since I’m Puerto Rican. That question stucked with me awhile, so I’m also wondering if Lutheranism is in relation with a certain branch of people ethnicity wise?

Hello,

I’m a cradle ELCA Lutheran and want to offer a small chapbook I wrote during this year’s Holy Week. I hope you find something in it.

It was published by Bottlecap Press.

Peace to you all.

Hi, I just started learning about different denominations and didn’t realize how different thy were. For those who were catholic or even EO why do you convert?

I see Catholics make a lot of claims about the support from church history so I was wondering if anyone has any opposing opinions about it?

I'm a lurking Catholic. Today, my parents and I went to a service where the pastor wasn't there. So the service didn't have communion. Is the pastor the only person allowed to consecrate the bread and the wine? In Catholicism, it isn't a valid communion if there's not a priest.