Are You a First Time Visitor?

We want you to feel comfortable!  
Please review the 'Frequently Asked Questions below to see what Faith Lutheran is all about. 

 Where is the church located? 

The church is at 2740 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, on the corner of Fuller Avenue and Three Mile, just south of Plainfield Avenue.  

I don't have much church background. Am I welcome here?

Of course you are! Everyone is welcome here, especially guests and those who have little or no church experience. A banner in our sanctuary says, "Find Acceptance In This House." Our hope is to show the same kind of hospitality that Jesus showed throughout his life. We welcome and invite you to join us and participate as fully as you feel comfortable. We understand that people are at different places in their faith journey and want to proceed at their own pace in that journey. Our congregation is made up of people with varied backgrounds. We appreciate and welcome the diversity of life history and experience that each person brings to our life together in our faith community.

The name of this church is Faith Lutheran Church. What does it mean that it is a "Lutheran" church?

Lutherans are Christians who received their name in the 16th century from Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation. While this church follows many of his teachings, we do not worship Martin Luther. We are a church that believes in the triune God—one God in three persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Lutheran Church places a strong emphasis on the Word of God and the importance of the Bible as the source and norm for our lives of faith. If you want to learn more about the Lutheran Church, please click on this link

What should I wear when I attend worship services or other events at the church?

Those attending worship services at Faith Lutheran wear attire that ranges from fairly formal to much more casual. A few people will wear sports coats and shirts with ties, but others wear casual slacks or jeans and more casual shirts. It is not uncommon for women to be wearing nice dresses or skirts and blouses, but others wear jeans, pants, sweaters, more casual attire. We are much less interested in what a person is wearing than the fact that you are here worshipping God with us. We welcome you and encourage you to come as you are.

Where do I park? How do I enter the building?

The parking lot kind of wraps around the east and south sides of the church. The sanctuary (where our worship normally occurs) is the large building on the south side. The main doors are on the south side of the building. The other building is our Fellowship Hall, built on a slightly lower level. It is connected to the sanctuary by means of stairs and an elevator. Doors to the Fellowship Hall are on the east side of the building. Enter through the door that is most convenient for you.

Is the building handicap accessible?

Yes and no. There are no steps as you enter either the upper or lower levels of the church buildings. Most of our Sunday morning worship takes place on the upper level. We have an elevator that connects the upper sanctuary level to the floor below. On the lower floor are our offices, nursery, church library, chapel, classrooms, kitchen, and fellowship hall, as well as handicap accessible restrooms. Access to our lowest, or basement level, used primarily by our Boy Scout Troup and a Vocational Education Program, is reached by way of an inside staircase or from exterior doors if stairs present an obstacle.

How long does the worship service usually last?

Each of our Sunday morning worship services lasts about an hour.

Are children welcome to attend the worship services? Is there a nursery available for younger children?

We encourage and welcome children to attend all of our worship services. There is a special time for young children in the casual worship service (at 10:00 am) called the "Children's Message," when children are invited to gather at the front of the sanctuary for a brief Bible lesson and prayer. We have a nursery downstairs if children should get fussy or need some play time. Our nursery includes materials for age-appropriate activities for your child during the worship service.

Is there a Sunday School program available for my children in addition to attending worship services?

Yes. During the school year, our congregation has a dedicated Sunday School program for children from K-5th grade, and an Adult Forum program from time to time as well. We also offer a Confirmation program. A great camp program is held each summer.

What if I, or my child, need to get up and leave in the middle of the worship service?

No problem. If a need arises, feel free to leave and return as you are able. Restrooms are located downstairs. We welcome children to stay in worship even if they are a little fussy, but should you need to take them outside the sanctuary, feel free to use the nursery or any other space you might need. During the school year, there can be a live video feed of our service in the nursery so that you can still listen to the service from there if you choose to stay with your child.

Will I have to introduce myself or stand up to be recognized if I am a guest at a worship service?

No. We do not ask our guests to stand up during the service and introduce themselves. We hope you will feel welcome and stay for our informal fellowship time of refreshments and conversation after the Sunday morning service. We would welcome you to fill out the worship information sheet on the pad at the end of each row of pews so that we know you were our guest. Sunday School for children is from 9:00 to 9:45 am during the school year.

How will I know what to do during the worship service?

Each worshipper is given a worship bulletin by an usher as they enter the sanctuary (worship area). The bulletin provides the worship service, the Scripture readings for the day, and some information about what's going on at Faith Lutheran Church. Most of what happens in worship is printed in that bulletin, and the worship leaders give cues during the service when we stand or sit for various parts of the service.

As a guest, am I expected to contribute to the offering that is taken at each worship service?

As we try to be good stewards (caretakers) of all that God has given to us—including our time, abilities, and money—we ask our members to contribute financially as they are able to help support the ministries of Faith Lutheran and the mission of the larger church both nationally and worldwide. We offer our financial gifts to God as an act of thanksgiving for all that God has already given us and as a way of participating joyfully in God's mission of love and service to our neighbors, our community, and our world. As a guest, if you wish to contribute to our congregation's ministry, you are most welcome to do so, and we thank you for your generosity. However, no one is required to make a financial offering.

Can I take Holy Communion when I visit the worship service?

We welcome all to receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion. If you have never taken communion or have never been baptized but would like to explore how to do so, please talk to the pastor after the worship service or call the church office during the week. Pastor Kevin would be delighted to meet you and talk about Baptism and Holy Communion with you.

How is Holy Communion served in worship?

Our two Sunday morning worship services have slightly different traditions for receiving Communion. The 8:30 am service is usually a smaller and more intimate gathering. At that service, those wishing to receive Communion come forward when they are invited to do so and form a semicircle in the space before the altar. The Pastor and Communion Assistant bring the bread and wine (or juice) around to each of those gathered. The Pastor will give you the bread, saying, "This is Christ's body, given for you." Eat the bread at that time. The Worship Assistant will bring the cups (of wine and of juice). As the Worship Assistant says, "Christ's blood, shed for you," take a glass of either the juice or wine and drink it, dropping the empty glass in the basket provided.

At the 10 am service, the ushers will indicate to a row of people when it is time to stand and go forward for Communion, forming two lines. The Pastor and Worship Assistants will be standing at the head of the aisle in front of the altar. The Pastor will hand you the bread saying, "The body of Christ, given for you."  Eat the bread as you approach the Communion Assistant with glasses of wine and juice in a tray. The wine is the darker liquid. The juice is a clear or light color. The Communion Assistant will say to you, "The blood of Christ, shed for you." Drink the wine or juice and place the empty glass in the basket provided.

Very young children and those not wishing to receive Communion but seeking a blessing may come forward in the Communion lines and indicate they would like a blessing. The Pastor or Worship Assistant will offer a blessing for the person, reminding them of God's love for them.

Generally speaking, children receive First Communion instruction as a part of their Sunday School education before they take Communion.

If it is difficult for you to walk to the altar to receive Communion, please feel free to remain in your seat and indicate to the usher (or pastor and communion assistants) that you would prefer to receive Communion there. After the others are served, we will bring Communion to you.

If you do not wish to receive Communion or a blessing, remain in your seat as others in your row go up for Communion.

What happens after the worship service?

Coffee and refreshments are often served in the narthex (the gathering space) after each worship service on Sunday morning. This is a time to meet people and gather for fellowship and conversation. During the school year, Sunday School for children is held from 9:00 to 9:45 am.

How can I get more information about the church and its programs?

Read through our website for more information about specific programs, opportunities, small groups, and other ways our community gathers together. Feel free to contact the pastor, the church office, or members of the congregation. You can also request that the monthly newsletter with information and a calendar of events be sent to you. We hope you will join us for worship one day. Come and see! The last group of ten new members was welcomed on September 25.