Your First Sunday at Trinity
Visiting a new church can feel like a lot of unknowns. Where do I park? What do I wear? Will anyone talk to me? Here is exactly what a normal Sunday looks like at Trinity, start to finish, so you can walk in feeling at home.
10:30 AM | Sunday Morning Worship
When you arrive, one of our greeters will meet you at the door. If you're visiting, we'd love for you to sign our guest book, but there's no pressure and no spotlight. No one will ask you to stand up or introduce yourself. You'll receive a bulletin with the full order of service. We worship using the historic liturgy of the Lutheran Service Book, rotating between Divine Service Settings One through Four depending on the week. The bulletin walks you through everything, so you'll always know what's happening and why. When in doubt, just follow along. You can participate as much or as little as you're comfortable with. The service usually lasts about an hour, a little longer on weeks when we celebrate the Lord's Supper.
9:30 AM | Adult Bible Study & Sunday School
Before the service, we gather for an hour in God's Word. Adult Bible study is normally led by one of our Elders, and it's a conversation, not a lecture. Bring your questions. You don't need to know your way around a Bible to join us. During the school year, Sunday School is offered for kids from age one through middle school. In the summer months, families worship and learn together. You're welcome to come at 9:30, or to arrive just for the service. Either way, we're glad you're here.
After Service Coffee Hour
Nobody leaves hungry. After the service, join us for coffee hour with coffee and donuts. It's unhurried and informal, and it's the easiest place to meet people and ask any questions you have. This is the Fellowship pillar in action, and honestly, it's a lot of people's favorite part of Sunday.
Common Questions
What should I wear?
Where do I park?
Is the building accessible?
What about my kids?
Can I take communion?
We believe that in the Lord's Supper, Jesus gives us his true body and blood, in, with, and under the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of sins. That's not a symbol or a metaphor to us. It's a gift, and it's at the very center of our life together.
Because Scripture also teaches that receiving this gift is a confession of shared faith, and that it should be received with understanding (1 Corinthians 11), we don't simply invite everyone forward automatically. Instead, we ask visitors to talk with our Pastor before communing. He's not there to quiz you or turn you away. He's there to care for you, and it's his responsibility and joy to walk through what this meal means before you receive it.
If you're not communing, you're still warmly invited to come forward for a blessing, or simply to remain seated. No one will think twice either way.
Will I be singled out as a visitor?
Do I have to give money?
Connect With Us
If you want to connect with Trinity Lutheran Church-Ithaca please fill out our connection form. You can find out more about our Sunday morning worship, what it means to be a Lutheran, submit prayer requests, or make plans to connect with a leader from this form.