“Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you.” Romans 15:7
Here are some of the most common frequently asked questions. We hope this makes you more comfortable as you enter our doors.
IS EVERYONE REALLY WELCOME?
YES! Our welcome statement is, “Good Shepherd Lutheran Church warmly welcomes people of any age, race, nationality, sexual orientation, life circumstance, and physical or mental capability,” and we mean it. We believe that Jesus calls all people into relationship and community with him. No one is too different or too bad to be welcomed. We’re all unique, and we each have too many of our own sins to judge yours.
WHAT TIME ARE THE WORSHIP SERVICES?
Our worship services are typically at 8:30 am and 10:45 am. The 8:30 service is a traditional service, and the 10:45 service is a praise service. Occasionally we will have a combined service on a Sunday Morning. Check the homepage of our website to see if a special service is happening.
WHAT’S THE CHURCH’S CONTACT INFORMATION
The church is located at 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock GA 30189. Our phone number is 770-924-7286 and our office email address is: office@gslutheran.org. For a map and more detailed contact information visit our contact page. Lastly, do you want to know what is happening on a regular basis? Sign up for our weekly newsletter using the form at the bottom of the homepage.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRADITIONAL SERVICE AND A PRAISE SERVICE?
The difference is mostly in style. The traditional service at 8:30 is musically led by an organ and choir, while the praise service at 10:45 is led by guitars, keyboards, percussion instruments, and a praise team. The traditional service has a more formal nature, with worship leaders in robes and participants kneeling for some parts of the service. The praise service is more casually adorned and performed.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A WORSHIP SERVICE?
Our worship services are liturgical. That means they follow a set pattern that includes alternating spoken and sung parts between the congregation and the worship leaders. The liturgies are based on words from the Bible and ancient traditions of the church. The service has four main parts: GATHERING, WORD, MEAL, and SENDING. We GATHER to confess our sins, hear God’s words of forgiveness, and focus our attention on the themes of the day. Next, we hear the WORD from the Bible and the preacher. In response, we confess our faith with one of the ancient creeds and pray for the needs of the world. During the MEAL segment, we respond to all God’s gifts to us with our offerings and receive the precious gift of Holy Communion. Finally, having been fed by the word and the communion, we are SENT into the world to spread the good news of Jesus with our words and actions.
HOW EARLY SHOULD I ARRIVE?
Our Sunday services begin promptly at 8:30 and 10:45am. It may be helpful for you to arrive a few minutes early in order to quiet your mind and open your heart for the worship experience. If you are running late though, don’t sweat it; you can enter the worship space any time during the service. If you want a good seat on CHRISTMAS or EASTER, however, you probably want to arrive 20-30 minutes before the service begins as the sanctuary typically fills up.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
That’s entirely up to you. You will discover some worshippers in their comfortable weekend clothes, and some more dressed up. We care that you came, not what you wore.
HOW WILL I FIND MY WAY AROUND?
When you enter the main doors, the worship space is straight ahead. Restrooms are to the right in the Administrative Hallway, and the Fellowship Hall is to the left. When you arrive you will be welcomed by greeters at the main entrance doors. There will also be ushers at the entrance to the worship area. Any of these ministers of hospitality can assist you in finding your way around. In fact, any of our members would be glad to help you. Ask us for whatever you need.
WILL I BE SINGLED OUT OR PUT ON THE SPOT?
We recognize that while some people are extroverts, others are introverts. We won’t ask you to stand up or introduce yourself. Likewise, we won’t put a sign on you or shine a spotlight on you. We do ask, however, that you sign our attendance pads and identify yourself to the pastor if you are a first time worshipper with us.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNION AND HOW IS THAT DONE?
Just as Jesus welcomes everyone to the worshipping community, he also welcomes everyone to his table of grace. Those who have not been baptized, and very small children, may opt for a blessing rather than the communion, until they learn more about what the communion is and means.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN IN WORSHIP?
Just as Jesus welcomes everyone to the worshipping community, he also welcomes everyone to his table of grace. Those who have not been baptized, and very small children, may opt for a blessing rather than the communion, until they learn more about what the communion is and means.
HOW CAN I MEET OTHERS?
We certainly want to meet you and welcome you. Besides identifying yourself to us, we hope that you will join us for refreshments and fellowship following each worship service in our Fellowship Hall, to the right as you exit the worship space. We also encourage you to get involved with any of the opportunities we offer that interest you.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER AND HOW CAN I BECOME ONE IF I CHOOSE?
Think of it like a marriage. You can certainly participate fully in the relationship without a formal contract, but a more formal agreement assures mutual commitment and accountability. Members participate in the decision processes for our mission and ministry. Membership orientation and reception occurs twice a year. Orientation is not a rigorous process, but rather an opportunity to learn more about us and meet some of our congregational leaders.
WHAT ELSE CAN I PARTICIPATE IN?
When you attend worship, you can stay after the 8:30 service or come early to the 10:45 service, and participate in our Sunday School, which begins at 9:45 during the school year. We also offer limited adult Sunday School classes during the summer. Please browse our website for information about programs of Christian education and many other small groups like, Bible studies, Children’s music groups, youth programs, Vacation Bible School and Mission Trips. You can send us an email or give us a call and we’ll gladly answer any questions you might have.
Get to know us better: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common frequently asked questions. We hope this makes you more comfortable as you enter our doors.
IS EVERYONE REALLY WELCOME?
YES! Our welcome statement is, “Good Shepherd Lutheran Church warmly welcomes people of any age, race, nationality, sexual orientation, life circumstance, and physical or mental capability,” and we mean it. We believe that Jesus calls all people into relationship and community with him. No one is too different or too bad to be welcomed. We’re all unique, and we each have too many of our own sins to judge yours.
WHAT TIME ARE THE WORSHIP SERVICES?
Our worship services are typically at 8:30 am and 10:45 am. The 8:30 service is a traditional service, and the 10:45 service is a praise service. Occasionally we will have a combined service on a Sunday Morning. Check the homepage of our website to see if a special service is happening.
WHAT’S THE CHURCH’S CONTACT INFORMATION
The church is located at 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock GA 30189. Our phone number is 770-924-7286 and our office email address is: office@gslutheran.org. For a map and more detailed contact information visit our contact page. Lastly, do you want to know what is happening on a regular basis? Sign up for our weekly newsletter using the form at the bottom of the homepage.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRADITIONAL SERVICE AND A PRAISE SERVICE?
The difference is mostly in style. The traditional service at 8:30 is musically led by an organ and choir, while the praise service at 10:45 is led by guitars, keyboards, percussion instruments, and a praise team. The traditional service has a more formal nature, with worship leaders in robes and participants kneeling for some parts of the service. The praise service is more casually adorned and performed.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A WORSHIP SERVICE?
Our worship services are liturgical. That means they follow a set pattern that includes alternating spoken and sung parts between the congregation and the worship leaders. The liturgies are based on words from the Bible and ancient traditions of the church. The service has four main parts: GATHERING, WORD, MEAL, and SENDING. We GATHER to confess our sins, hear God’s words of forgiveness, and focus our attention on the themes of the day. Next, we hear the WORD from the Bible and the preacher. In response, we confess our faith with one of the ancient creeds and pray for the needs of the world. During the MEAL segment, we respond to all God’s gifts to us with our offerings and receive the precious gift of Holy Communion. Finally, having been fed by the word and the communion, we are SENT into the world to spread the good news of Jesus with our words and actions.
HOW EARLY SHOULD I ARRIVE?
Our Sunday services begin promptly at 8:30 and 10:45am. It may be helpful for you to arrive a few minutes early in order to quiet your mind and open your heart for the worship experience. If you are running late though, don’t sweat it; you can enter the worship space any time during the service. If you want a good seat on CHRISTMAS or EASTER, however, you probably want to arrive 20-30 minutes before the service begins as the sanctuary typically fills up.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
That’s entirely up to you. You will discover some worshippers in their comfortable weekend clothes, and some more dressed up. We care that you came, not what you wore.
HOW WILL I FIND MY WAY AROUND?
When you enter the main doors, the worship space is straight ahead. Restrooms are to the right in the Administrative Hallway, and the Fellowship Hall is to the left. When you arrive you will be welcomed by greeters at the main entrance doors. There will also be ushers at the entrance to the worship area. Any of these ministers of hospitality can assist you in finding your way around. In fact, any of our members would be glad to help you. Ask us for whatever you need.
WILL I BE SINGLED OUT OR PUT ON THE SPOT?
We recognize that while some people are extroverts, others are introverts. We won’t ask you to stand up or introduce yourself. Likewise, we won’t put a sign on you or shine a spotlight on you. We do ask, however, that you sign our attendance pads and identify yourself to the pastor if you are a first time worshipper with us.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNION AND HOW IS THAT DONE?
Just as Jesus welcomes everyone to the worshipping community, he also welcomes everyone to his table of grace. Those who have not been baptized, and very small children, may opt for a blessing rather than the communion, until they learn more about what the communion is and means.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN IN WORSHIP?
Just as Jesus welcomes everyone to the worshipping community, he also welcomes everyone to his table of grace. Those who have not been baptized, and very small children, may opt for a blessing rather than the communion, until they learn more about what the communion is and means.
HOW CAN I MEET OTHERS?
We certainly want to meet you and welcome you. Besides identifying yourself to us, we hope that you will join us for refreshments and fellowship following each worship service in our Fellowship Hall, to the right as you exit the worship space. We also encourage you to get involved with any of the opportunities we offer that interest you.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER AND HOW CAN I BECOME ONE IF I CHOOSE?
Think of it like a marriage. You can certainly participate fully in the relationship without a formal contract, but a more formal agreement assures mutual commitment and accountability. Members participate in the decision processes for our mission and ministry. Membership orientation and reception occurs twice a year. Orientation is not a rigorous process, but rather an opportunity to learn more about us and meet some of our congregational leaders.
WHAT ELSE CAN I PARTICIPATE IN?
When you attend worship, you can stay after the 8:30 service or come early to the 10:45 service, and participate in our Sunday School, which begins at 9:45 during the school year. We also offer limited adult Sunday School classes during the summer. Please browse our website for information about programs of Christian education and many other small groups like, Bible studies, Children’s music groups, youth programs, Vacation Bible School and Mission Trips. You can send us an email or give us a call and we’ll gladly answer any questions you might have.