Welcome to Central Lutheran Church
The family of Central Lutheran Church comes together in the Word and goes out proclaiming God's presence, love and power. Coming and going...all we do is for the worship of God.
Our Worship Times
Worship Services:
Sundays, January 8 - April 1
Worship at 8:15, 9:45, and 11 am, Sunday School 9:45-10:45 am
Thursdays, January 12 - April 19
Alternating Taize or Holden Evening Prayer Worship service at 7 pm
Ash Wednesday, February 22
Imposition of Ashes at Noon, Ash Wednesday Worship service at 7 pm
Wednesdays in Lent, February 29 - March 28
Soup Supper 5:30 - 7 pm, Worship service at 7 pm
Visitors:
What to Expect when Visiting - Here at Central Lutheran you'll see and meet a variety of people. Our members and regulars include families of Norwegian and other European ancestry who've attended for more than sixty years, and Hmong and Sudanese immigrants who've been here only a short time, and everything in between; we share our facility with the members of Alaska Native Lutheran Church and welcome all.
As our backgrounds vary, so does all else about us! You'll see some dressed in their "Sunday best" and others in jeans and t-shirts; in our parking lot you'll find a new Prius right next to an early 80's Honda, mini-vans and Subarus from various decades; Republicans and Democrats and others; in our diversity we come together to share the Word of the Lord.
Our fall worship service schedule is three worship services each Sunday at 8:15, 9:45, and 11 am. The 8:15 and 11 am services are more "traditional." They use a liturgy (way of worship) from With One Voice or Evangelical Lutheran Worship, hymns both ancient and modern, lectionary readings from the Bible, and Holy Communion. The 9:45 am service is more "contemporary" or family-friendly. Much of the music comes from Christian camp and Vacation Bible School favorites. The Sunday School and education classes will go to their classes after the first 15 minutes of the service, and those remaining for worship will read the lectionary Bible texts, hear an engaging sermon, and share Holy Communion. Entire families and participants of all ages are welcome in the Sanctuary throughout all of our services, and volunteers of all ages are invited to serve as they are able (lectors, communion assistants, musicians, and more).
During part of the year on Thursday evenings we offer some different ways to worship. On 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursdays of the month we share a candle-lit, quiet, contemplative service using Taize hymns (simple, repetitive melodies) and short readings from the Bible. On 2nd and 4th Thursdays, we celebrate Holden Evening Prayer. Holden uses a song-based liturgy, features short readings from the Bible, and includes the sharing of holy communion.
Sunday School and Christian Education classes are offered during the school year for all ages. In 2011-2012 we will use the Spark curriculum by Augsburg Fortress in our children's Sunday School classes, which follows the lectionary Bible texts. Our middle school youth will use the Re:Form curriculum by Augsburg Fortress. Our adult class for September 18 - November 20, 2011, will focus on vocation, work and faith in daily life. In the summer, an adult Bible study or special topic discussion is offered Sundays at 8:15 am.
Our summer worship service schedule is one worship service each Sunday at 9:30 am. The service always includes a liturgy (way of worship) and some new and some familiar hymns, most from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, readings from the Old and New Testaments (New Revised Standard Version), a short message or sermon illustration for children, a sermon or skit, holy communion, and perhaps special music from our members or musicians. Entire families and participants of all ages are welcome in the Sanctuary throughout all of our services, and volunteers of all ages are invited to serve as they are able (lectors, communion assistants, musicians, and more).
During the summer, we offer Wednesday evening worship services at 7 pm. This service follows the weekly lectionary readings from the previous Sunday, includes Holy Communion, and uses the Unfailing Light liturgy.
On special holidays, we adjust our service times (please see main page or calendar) and change the worship formats. During summer, Lent, and Advent, we add Wednesday evening services. On Christmas Eve, we sing lots of carols, hear special music, and share candle-light.
Childcare - We welcome your children in the Sanctuary and prefer they learn to worship by sharing the services with you, but also understand that some children prefer to be highly active at times. Thus, we offer a staffed nursery for children under age five, at no cost, during most Sunday and major holiday services. You may choose to use the nursery for just a few moments or for the whole service.