Come and Worship With Us!
At Old Zion, we still continue our long tradition of holding worship services both in German and in English. Services are held at 10:00 AM (English or Combined Services) and 11:15 AM (German Service) - for a specific service schedule, please visit our Calendar page.
In the month of August we hold only the English service at 10:00 AM each Sunday.
In any month where a 5th Sunday is on the calendar, an English will be held at 10:00 AM.
Whether in English or in German, we here at Old Zion Lutheran Church follow Scripture and Luther in our understanding of Christian worship. The German word Gottesdienst—“God’s Service”—and the English term “Divine Service” both signify that, as we worship, God is serving us. Our traditional and liturgical worship services center on Christ Jesus who comes to us through His Spirit-filled Gospel in word and sacrament to bestow forgiveness and new life on us, to strengthen our faith in Him, and to help us to live in ever closer union with Him.
What to Expect at a Worship Service:
Our English Service
- We use the red Service Book and Hymnal (© 1958) and follow the “Common Service,” a liturgy which is deeply rooted in the worship tradition of the western Church and which at one time was the most commonly used liturgy among all Lutherans in America.
- We use the Evangelischen Kirchen Gesangbuch (Ausgabe fuer die Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern, © 1877). The German liturgy which we follow has been inserted into the front of our German hymnals and is rooted in the same tradition as the “Common Service,” with most of the same responses and liturgical songs.
- Holy Communion is offered on the fourth Sunday of each month in a combined (German and English) service. In our combined service, several parts of our worship are said or sung in German— one of the readings (usually the Epistle), alternate verses of the chief hymn of the day and occasionally of other hymns as well, and the Lord’s Prayer after the Words of Institution.
- Liturgy and music from the red Service Book and Hymnal (© 1958); First Setting
- While we have traditionally used the Common Cup, due to the ongoing concerns, all congregants will use individual cups.
- If you have any questions or concerns about taking communion, please feel free to speak to the officiating Pastor or any member of the congregation, who will be happy to assist you and answer any questions!
- On Sundays with both English and German services, we hope you will join us in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and light refreshments, and to enjoy further fellowship with one another!
- After Combined Services Old Zion hosts regular meals provided by the members - these are free and also open to any visitors - please join us!
- As noted above, Old Zion continues to hold to a strong and liturgically centered worship with the use of the 1st setting.
- From September through June our choir also provides musical praise during the English Service through the singing of the "Introit" and a choir anthem sung during the offering. Our soloist's also provide special music during both services throughout the year.
- Old Zion also hosts various concerts and special events throughout the year - please follow our Facebook page and view our calendar for upcoming events!
