As those early disciples of Jesus Christ gathered together to proclaim the good news and celebrate the gift of life through water and the meal, we too gather every week as well as on holidays and other occasions to celebrate and remember the grace of God made real through Jesus Christ.  Though the language and methods of worship have changed through these past 2000 years, the central meaning remains: God is present at the table of Jesus Christ in, with, and under the bread and the wine at Eucharist.  On this page you will find out what to expect when you come to worship at Clairemont Lutheran Church.  All four of our Sunday morning worship services are formatted in very similar ways, though the language and musical styles are different.  We hope this information sheds some light on our style of worship at Clairemont Lutheran Church.

Arrival/ Before Worship.  When you arrive, an usher will hand you a worship program.  Take a moment to read the announcements as well as to fill out the blue welcome card.  It is our custom at Clairemont Lutheran Church to pray for those who fill out these cards following our Sunday morning worship services.  Special prayer requests may be included on the back of these cards and will be remembered during the week in our Prayer Chain ministry.  Located in the entryway is also an information rack with brochures and a table with information on upcoming events.  The white podiums generally contain copies of our monthly newsletter The Clarion as well as copies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's monthly publication The Lutheran Magazine.  Both publications are offered free of charge.

Gathering.  After an organ prelude or moment of silence, the time of worship begins with either a Processional hymn or an opening dialogue.  It is customary at Clairemont Lutheran Church to also make announcements as well as an official welcome to all who have gathered.  When we do not celebrate Holy Communion, we also share the peace with one another during this time.  When we do celebrate Holy Communion, we take a moment to confess our sins and receive absolution, the reminder that we are indeed children of God, and therefore are forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ.  Occasionally a baptismal remembrance/renewal is also held during our time of gathering for worship.

Service of the Word.  Generally, the service of the word begins with the Prayer of the Day, an appointed prayer for the particular Sunday of the Liturgical Calendar.  At our 10:15 worship service, a children's message is offered.  The lessons of the day are then read, which follow the Revised Common Lectionary.  A choir will usually sing or perform an anthem between the lessons which reflect the central message of the day taken from Scripture.  Following the lessons, a pastor will offer a sermon followed by the Hymn of the Day.  The service of the word concludes with the prayers of the people, intercessions to God for the needs of the community, the church, those in need and the world.  When Holy Communion is not celebrated, the service continues with the sending.

Service of Holy Communion.  Beginning the service of Holy Communion means sharing the peace with one another and bringing our offerings to God.  An instrumental or choral piece of music is offered followed by the offertory procession of the gifts of the people.  Sometimes the bread and wine used for communion is also brought forth to the altar at the front of the sanctuary.  Following an offertory prayer, the liturgy begins, generally chanted from our hymnal.  Those who are not comfortable singing the responses are invited to simply speak them as the pastor who is presiding does most of the singing during what is called the preface.  The preface concludes with the Sanctus (Latin for "holy").  The bells are rung during this time as tradition states that this celebrates the unity between Christians of every time and place.  The Eucharistic Prayer follows, which include the words of institution, a prayer of dedication of the bread and wine of Eucharist.  Distribution follows the praying of the Lord's Prayer and theAgnus Dei (Latin for "lamb of God").  A hymn is generally sung during the distribution of Holy Communion and the service closes with a blessing and a prayer.

Sending.  The service closes with a sending.  The pastor offers the Benediction followed by the closing hymn or Recessional.  A closing piece of music is then offered called a Postlude.  The pastors greet those leaving for worship with a handshake.  The worship service is meant to be continued as we depart into the world, nourished for the week ahead by the Holy Spirit through the word and meal.

After Worship.  The congregation gathers on the patio outside the sanctuary and entryway for coffee and conversation following worship.  Sometimes organizations will have tables set up on the patio with information about their ministries.  Occasionally there will even be a special celebration held on the patio.  You will always find a friendly face ready to welcome you before, during and after worship at Clairemont Lutheran Church.

Worship at Clairemont Lutheran Church every Sunday Morning at 8:00, 9:15, 10:15, and 11:30 (Spanish)

Holiday Worship    

Christmas Eve Candlelight at 4:30, 6:30 and 10:00 p.m.  

Ash Wednesday at Noon and 7:00 p.m.  Thursdays in Lent and Maundy Thursday at Noon and 7:00 p.m. 

Good Friday at Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday at 6:30, 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m.