VISITORS' CENTER

Frequently Asked Questions

To make your first visit to Richland Lutheran Church more enjoyable, here is some information we hope you will find helpful. For answers to the questions below, just click on question. Our Visitors' Preview (pdf) is a designed especially for people wanting more specific answers about Richland Lutheran Church.

What can I expect at worship?

Our services are reverent and traditional, with a warm personal touch. Since we follow a set order of service (or liturgy), each week we print out the service in a special booklet with words, music, and instructions, so you will be able to follow along quite easily.  Our church honors the authority of Scripture, so you will hear a lesson from the Old Testament, a Psalm, a lesson from the New Testament, and a special reading from a Gospel.  You may also notice that the words in our worship service come from Scripture or are based upon it.  The pastor's message (sermon) applies the Scripture to our daily lives.  Services last about an hour.

When are the worship services?

On Sunday morning, services are at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m., and there is also a service Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m.  On Wednesday evenings a brief prayer service is held at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel.  During Lent, services are held on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

What about Holy Communion?

Holy Communion is celebrated every Saturday evening and at one service each Sunday -- on the first and third Sundays of the month at 11:00 and the second and fourth Sundays at 8:30.  All baptized Christians, fifth grade and older, who believe Christ is truly present in Holy Communion and desire His assurance of forgiveness are welcome to receive the sacrament.

Do you offer nursery care?

Yes! Nursery care is provided on Sunday morning, at Lenten services, and at congregational events.  Another option for parents with children not ready to sit all the way through a service is the Cry Room located in the narthex.  It is a special room equipped with a soundproof window, audio speakers, rocking chairs, and activities for children.  Parents are still able to see and hear the service while their little ones are occupied.

How accessible is your church and other facilities?

Currently, our church is quite accessible for people in wheelchairs or using walkers. Special parking spaces are available near the parking lot entrance to the church, and we have restroom facilities that are wheelchair accessible. On the east side of the narthex, an door is equipped with an automatic opening device. Simply push the large silver button, and the door will automatically open. Adult Sunday school classes are taught in rooms on the ground floor. However, at this time children and teenager's classrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

What is required to have a wedding at your church?

 Before any wedding plans can be made, all couples must first meet with one of our pastors and obtain their consent to perform the wedding. All couples will have pre-marital counseling sessions with the pastor; these take about 6 hours altogether. In cases where neither partner is Lutheran, the couple will also be required to take the Basic Belief Seminar (see below). For further details on wedding policy, downlowad the weddings publication, fee schedule, and reservation form.

What is required to have a baby baptized in this church?

Infants and small children are baptized with the expectation that as they grow up will be nurtured in the Christian faith and participate in the life of a congregation. For this reason, we ordinarily baptize only the children of members.  In rare extenuating circumstances, pastoral discretion may allow for flexibility.

How do I join Richland Lutheran Church?

If you are a confirmed member of another Lutheran church, you can easily transfer your membership.  Either phone the church office (943-3164) or indicate your desire on a yellow worship registration slip.  We will contact your former church and handle the arrangements. If for some reason your former Lutheran church will not transfer your membership to our congregation, you can still join by reaffirmation of faith (which is essentially a transfer without the paperwork). 

If you are not a confirmed Lutheran and will be received by transfer from another Christian denomination or by Baptism, you will need to take the one-day Basic Belief Seminar.  This seminar explains the main teachings and practices of the Lutheran Church.  It is offered at least four times a year and takes place on a Saturday, 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Meals are provided and so is child care if requested.

You will also need to fill out a Membership Application, which you will find in the church narthex or office.  Members are received into the congregation four times a year, and you will be contacted by the office with details about that as well as the Orientation meeting and New Member Luncheon.