What's it like at Sunday Worship? What will happen when I arrive?

Here is a "road map" which will give you an idea of what to expect
when you walk through our doors on Sunday mornings.
As you face the church, the (red) doors to the Sanctuary are on the left.
Feel welcome to participate fully in our service or to just sit back and take it in.

Parking There are only a few parking spaces in our parking lot. One is reserved for the Pastor and two are reserved for the handicapped. Feel free to park in the other spaces, if available. There is street parking on both sides of the road on which we are located. What will we look like? Although this may not seem like your grandfather's church, it will most likely come close to that of your mother's. We'll be honest. We are, for the most part, a congregation of young families, middle-aged, and elderly folks. That means if you're young and single, we'd love you to come and round out our family! Our worship services are joyful, but tame. Our music is a mix of traditional and upbeat. Worship 'aerobics' (clapping, dancing, etc.), while not inappropriate, would certainly stand out at Trinity. However, if the Spirit moves you..... Fashion Police? By the way, there is no 'dress code' here, so come dressed any way that makes you feel comfortable. You don't need to bring anything with you. Everything you need for the service is provided.

Good Morning There will be a smiling face or two to greet you just inside the front doors and to hand you the worship bulletin for the day. Feel free to seat yourself. Only the front two right-hand pews are reserved (for the choir). Our balcony is no longer in use. There is a handicap entrance to the side of the main sanctuary doors, as well as an elevator to take you downstairs to the church basement for coffee hour after the service. Preparing for worship There will most likely be noise in the sanctuary when you first enter. Try as we may to curtail talking amongst ourselves before we begin our worship, we have a tiny Narthex in which to gather so conversations inevitably take place in the sanctuary while some are trying to quietly prepare for worship. We apologize in some ways for this, but in other ways we are joyful to see our congregation have so much to say to one another about God and about life!

Children: Sunday School Sunday School is offered (downstairs) during the school year from 9:00am - 10:00am, beginning September 10th. Hymn Books During the service, we often use two different hymnals, which contain traditional hymns and contemporary songs and every- thing in between. Here's a breakdown of these books: The red one: Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) The blue one: With One Voice (WOV)

Communion Logistics At Trinity Lutheran we practice Eucharistic hospitality which means that we invite all bap- tized Christians to the Lord's table. As Lutherans, we confess the Real Presence of Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Communion can sometimes seem complicated when you worship at a new place! Here at Trinity, the ushers will signal each row to come forward and line up in the center aisle of the sanctuary. Then they will again signal those waiting when they may approach the altar rail. Feel free to either kneel or stand to receive the bread and wine. Those not prepared for com- munion may come for a blessing. The pastor will place a piece of bread in your outstretched hands saying, "the body of Christ given for you." Communion assistants will then follow with three choices for your receipt of the wine. You may receive the wine from the shared/ common cup, or you may take an empty glass from the tray and wine will poured into it from a chalice. Grape juice (pre-poured and in the center of the tray) is also available. The Pastor will dismiss those at the rail by saying "go in peace." Please place your used glass in the trays located on either side of the sanctuary as you return to your seat. Meet the Pastor You'll have an opportunity to briefly meet Pastor Knowles as you exit the sanctuary.

Coffee Hour After our worship service many of us join together in the Pine Room downstairs for coffee hour. Coffee and juice are served, along with light snacks. Some like to sit at tables; many just like to gather around the snack table and chat! Please join us! Rest Room Facilities By the way, we have three small rest room facilites in our building. One is downstairs, just off the Pine Room. The other two are on the main level near the church office. All are private and unisex.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 161 Western Ave., Brattleboro VT 05301
TEL: 802 254-4220 E-FAX: 253-322-6172 E-MAIL: trinity@sover.net