What is a Lutheran church service like?

A Lutheran service is quite similar to a Roman Catholic service. There is an opening prayer, forgiveness, lessons (Bible readings) sermon, prayers of the people, sign of peace (hand shake), consecration of bread and wine, Communion, closing prayers.

There may or may not be singing, but since it is a contemporary service I imagine there will be singing.

If you are a baptized Christian you may partake of Communion in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).

Lutheran Church Service

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RE:

What is a Lutheran church service like?

I've never attended the Lutheran church before, but I am attending a service there soon. The service I am going to is called Contemporary. What should I expect? (If it makes a difference, this church is part of the Missouri Synod. I do not know what means either.)

Thank you for your help.

Well, this question is probably trickier than you thought. There are several different branches of Lutherans; the two largest (I think) are called Missouri Synod and ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, of which I am a member). Each has its own views on this question. The Missouri Synod is more conservative, and to receive Communion there they do require you to be baptized (though, I doubt they will ask you if you go to the altar)--any baptism within a mainstream Christian denomination (including Catholics) are recognized, to my knowledge. ELCA churches are a bit more liberal on this point, though technically speaking, I think that we also require baptism prior to taking Communion (that being said, my Pastor allows anyone to take it)--again, any mainstream denomination Baptism is recognized. My own personal understanding is this: Communion is a means of grace--this means that if we have faith in the promise (of forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Jesus Christ) that is given as we receive the bread and the wine, then it is not wrong to take Communion, even if unbaptized. However, if we you receive Communion without believing the promise, then not only do you not receive the promise, but you mislead those who observe your taking Communion, because by your actions they presume you have a faith that you don't--in this sense, it is wrong. My advice would be for next Sunday, speak with the Pastor of the church, and inquiry about getting Baptized (which ideally, should be done first), and whether or not you should take Communion in the interim. And welcome to the Lutheran denomination :) :)

A contemporary service in a Lutheran church will look like a very, very badly done imitation of a Baptist or nondenominational service. If you want to see what Lutheran churches are really like, go to the traditional service. It is liturgical and has a much more interesting structure and music. Even if you don't personally care for it much, you'll at least be glad of the experience.

Do not go up to receive communion in an LCMS (Missouri Synod) church unless you have cleared it with the pastor first. Missouri Synod is just one of the Lutheran denominations that traces its roots to German immigrants who settled in Missouri.

It always depends on the church you go to, but Missouri Synods tend to be pretty formal. If you're going to a Contemporary service, it'll be less formal, but still pretty ritual. Expect a lot of singing of Chris Tomlin, etc.

Missouri Synod is just a section of Lutheranism, as Southern Baptists are part of the Baptist Church.

Lutherans employ structured worship. The liturgy is reminiscentt of the Catholic Mass to a point. Lutherans celebrate Holy Eucharist and believe the bread and wine to be more than merely symbolic. The Missouri Synod more or less practices closed communion--meaning they will allow mostly only those of their own denomination to participate fully.

A contemporary service just means the music is current and they abandon parts of the liturgy. It's nothing to worry about. It's mostly like going to a concert followed by a lecture.

Hey Desiree, shut up!

It’s freakin ridiculous! You both believe in the same illogical dogmatic nonsense. You both use the same guilt trips, shock tactics and carrot and stick doctrine spreading techniques. You both blur the line between religion and business…you are both the same breed of reality rejecting, child brainwashing, delusion perpetuating morons! The difference between Catholics and Protestants is roughly the same as the difference between Baptists and Lutherans! So can you please shut the hell up and stop making my task to destroy religion harder than it has to be by arguing amongst yourselves about inconsequential specifics?

I here they celebrate gods killing of thousands of innocent babies in the bibles flood story