What are services like?
The Divine Service
People often think that worship is about what we do for or toward God. The reality is quite different. True worship always begins with what God does for us. The Athanasian Creed teaches us that true Christian worship can be recognized in two ways. First, we worship the God Who reveals Himself as Triune, that is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The second way we recognize Christian worship is that it is centered on Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Our worship is “divine” because it is Christ-centered. In the Divine Service, God is providing for us. In the reading, the preaching, and the proclamation of His Word and in His Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, God comes to us. In worship, God gives His grace and then we respond with thanks and praise.
The Lutheran Church has retained a historic order for the Divine Service. We follow this order not because we believe it is the only right way but because we believe this ancient pattern of worship most clearly and beautifully serves the purpose of the Divine Service, which is to deliver the gracious gifts of God. The Divine Service uses two distinct elements that create a framework for our worship each time we gather together. Those parts of the liturgy that do not change each week are called the Ordinary because they are ordinarily present each week in the Divine Service. The Ordinary reflects the changeless and timeless texts of the liturgy, some of which has been in continuous use for 1800 years. The second element of our worship consists of the changeable texts, known as the Propers. The Propers bring variety as they follow the seasons of the Church Year and the associated Scripture readings. The Propers carry the message or theme for the day, which is often taken from the Holy Gospel.
The Divine Service with Holy Communion is celebrated the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays of every month. On the 4th and 5th Sundays, we follow one of the Orders of the Lutheran Service Book (Matins, Service of Prayer and Preaching, or Morning Prayer). We offer Advent and Lenten services on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM in their seasons. There is also always worship on Christmas Day (December 25th) at 10:45 AM, Epiphany Day (January 6th) at 7:00 PM, and Ascension Day (the 40th day after Easter) at 7:00 PM.
What is the community like?
The Florida-Georgia District
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is divided into 35 Districts in order to more effectively provide pastoral oversight and mobilize God’s Church for mission. The Florida-Georgia District, like the entire Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is committed to carry on the God-given, Spirit-driven ministry of Word and Sacrament through which He shares His love for us and empowers us to share His love with others. The members of the Florida-Georgia District are congregations and ministries located within the state of Georgia, Florida, and the Bahamas.
What if I'm not a Christian?
Before Attending
As you prayerfully consider attending Living Faith Lutheran Church, it is vitally important that you understand what we believe concerning the Lord’s Supper.
We celebrate Holy Communion in the glad confidence and confession that the Lord Jesus gives us 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 one another. We do not believe this because it is our tradition. We believe this because it is what the Word of God promises. This was the confession of the early Church, and it is also our confession. 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 (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:17-20, John 6:53-56, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
Because the Bible says that those who drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or hold a confession differing from this congregation and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are asked first to speak with the pastor of Living Faith Lutheran Church. He is happy to meet with you or talk with you at any time to discuss special circumstances you might have (Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 10:20-21, 1 Corinthians 11:26-29).
