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Coming to Sunday Worship
Below is some information you might find helpful if you decide to come to Incarnation for Sunday worship.

Before Worship
Choose a service time: Incarnation offers four different worship services each Sunday.

8:45 a.m. & 10:05 a.m.
These services use a combination of traditional and contemporary music and spoken words. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sundays each month, and these services are held in the Sanctuary. Enter the building through Door 1 or Door 6.

10:45 a.m.
This service has a more typical praise and worship style, is casual, and has a family-friendly feel, especially for those with children. Holy Communion is celebrated on the 2nd and last Sundays each month, and the service is held in Incarnation Hall. Enter the building through Door 2.

6:00 p.m.
This service has a contemplative feel, is very informal, and welcomes all to come-as-you-are. Whether coming straight from a cabin weekend or a day of sports tournaments, you will fit right in. Holy Communion is celebrated each week and the service is held in Incarnation Hall. Enter the building through Door 2.

Two prayer stations are available during this service: a prayer table where worshipers can request a written prayer or light a candle and a bi-fold chalkboard where a question has been posed, to which worshipers can respond or offer a prayer by writing with chalk. Written prayer requests left on a prayer card, are prayed for by a group of pray-ers the following week and are kept confidential.



If you have children, decide whether you want them with you in worship, in the nursery or in SPARK Sunday.

Children are welcome in worship and are invited to take a Rainbow Bag (located outside the Sanctuary or Incarnation Hall), a Children's Bible, or a Children’s Bulletin, to help occupy their attention during less active times of the service. Learn more about some strategies for worshiping with children.

A nursery is available during all service hours for children up to three years old. When checking your child into the nursery, you will be issued a pager so that you may be reached easily if your child needs you. The nursery operates as a parent cooperative, and is staffed by a paid staff person, parent volunteers, and youth volunteers. Learn more about the Incarnation Nursery.

Sunday School at Incarnation is call “SPARK Sunday” and is available for any children three years old through 4th grade, during all morning services from September through May. If you are interested in having your child experience SPARK Sunday, come to the Children’s Resource Center and someone on the Children’s Ministry staff will place your child in an age appropriate class. SPARK Sunday is offered currently with 8:45 a.m., 10:05 a.m., and 10:45 a.m. worship. A Wednesday night option for children's learning (through 5th grade) is also available. SPARK Sunday classes are grouped by age, and are lead by adult and youth volunteers. Learn more about SPARK Sunday and SPARK Wednesday.

As You Arrive
Upon entering the worship space, an usher will give you a bulletin, which includes the Order for Worship. Have a seat or an usher will help you find a seat where you will be most comfortable. Once settled, enjoy the music, read the Ministry Opportunities information sheet you were given on your way in, or do whatever will help you to prepare for the service.

During the Service

Worship
Incarnation believes that gathering in worship is central to our faith and life. It’s something we do together as a faith community. Everyone worships in his or her own unique way which means singing and quietly reflecting on the words is appropriate for some, and sing, swaying, and clapping along is appropriate for others. You are encouraged to worship in a way that is most meaningful to you.

All Sunday services are about 55 minutes long. The services are liturgical in nature or follow a structured pattern, regardless of whether the style of worship is traditional or contemporary. In addition, the same Bible scripture will be the focus of preaching, delivered by the same pastor on any given day, at each service offered.  Message paper is available in the pews (Sanctuary) or in a rack (as soon as you enter Incarnation Hall) if you want to take notes during worship.

Offering
Offering will be collected during the services but we do not expect newcomers to participate in the Offering. We believe stewardship and financial support of Incarnation’s ministry is the responsibility of those who call Incarnation their home faith community. During this time, a blue folder will be passed which you are invited to sign so that those worshiping around you can greet you by name.

Holy Communion
Incarnation celebrates Holy Communion as a way to remember who we are and whose we are, and all who believe in the mysterious presence of Christ, are invited to celebrate Communion. Holy Communion, one of two Sacraments practiced by the Lutheran Church, is celebrated during the services as indicated above.

At Incarnation, both elements of bread and wine are received by a method of called “intinction”, where the tip of the wafer or bread is dipped into the red colored wine or white colored grape juice. If a child has received instruction on receiving Communion, he or she is also invited to come forward for Communion, but to help the servers, a child should be reminded to hold his or her hands out to receive the bread or wafer. If a child has not previously been instructed on receiving Communion, that child is invited to come forward for a blessing.

Following the Service

Fellowship and Connecting Time
If you chose to place your child(ren) in the nursery or Sunday School, pick them up after worship and be a part of some connecting time over refreshments either in Grace Hall following services in the Sanctuary or in the Gathering Space following services in Incarnation Hall. Meet some new folks or connect with people familiar to you from the neighborhood.

Information Center and Racks
To learn more about Incarnation, you may choose to swing by the Information Center across the Sanctuary or the information racks in Grace Hall or in the Gathering Space. There you will find literature to browse on Incarnation programming and ministries. The Incarnation Office Attendant, a Greeter, or the Information Center Host can also be helpful in answering questions that surface during your time at Incarnation.

Beyond the Worship Service
You are invited to be a part of Incarnation beyond worship. There are several ways in which you can be involved at Incarnation as a guest, and nearly every opportunity listed is available for you to experience. The following is a list of ways in which you can learn how to be a part of a transforming opportunity at Incarnation:
  • The Ministry Opportunities sheet you receive in worship lists upcoming opportunities at Incarnation; take it home with you, or click here to get the most current list of ministry opportunities.
  • Lifetimes monthly newsletter; to subscribe, contact ethorstad@incarnationmn.org or click here for the latest issue.
  • Browse this website
  • "Like" Incarnation's FaceBook page to receive updates and to connect with others about Incarnation happenings and faith, in general.
  • Contact Becky Benson, Director of Inviting Ministries at bbenson@incarnationmn.org.

FAQs
Membership

Incarnation Lutheran Church * 4880 Hodgson Road, Shoreview, MN 55126 * Office Phone: 651-484-7213 


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