Welcome to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church! We are so happy that you will be visiting us. Below is some information that may be helpful for you.
Lutheran Confession
Christ In All Things
At St. Paul’s, Christ is in all things. He is the center of worship and every act of service. We are a member congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). As such, we accept without reservation:
- The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice; and
- Because they are a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God, we accept the Lutheran Confessions as articulated in the Book of Concord of 1580.
Lutheran theology is historic, beautiful, and deeply practical. Check out the links above for more information, or—better yet—make an appointment with one of our pastors to talk about who we are and what we believe. (You can also check out our podcast, “Christ In All Things.”)
When are services?
Worship services are Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 am. We have special mid-week services during Advent and Lent.
In the summer months, we have Lakeside Worship, which is a midweek worship service. The sermon is the same as the previous weekend.
Our services are approximately one hour. Sometimes they are a bit shorter; occasionally, they may run longer, due to baptisms, special announcements, etc.
Where do I go?
There are two entrances to St. Paul’s. The main entrance to the church is on Pleasant Street. You may also enter through our school. This entrance is handicapped accessible. Once inside, there are signs that will direct you to the church sanctuary. If you need assistance, our elevator is nearby this entrance.
What should I expect?
Expect to hear a lot about Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen savior of the world!
Seriously. Christ is in all things at St. Paul’s. Stick around for a while and you’ll discover why.
Expect to be greeted. Near the entrance door a greeter will be there and hand you a bulletin for announcements. At 5:00 pm and 8:00 am the order of worship is in the hymnal with great and beautiful ceremony. At 10:30 am we have a brief printed order that retains the key elements of the historic service but is slightly less ceremonial.
Please introduce yourself! If you’re not familiar with the Lutheran order of service, ask an usher or elder for a little help. We’ll get you started. Lutheran worship is very participatory. It’s not like a concert or a speech where you just kind of sit back. You can do that, of course, but Lutheran worship is designed for activity, not passivity. It’s designed for a lot of back-and-forth between the pastor and the congregation and the musicians and the congregation. Generally speaking, once you get started on the right page, things flow, but—again—if this is new to you, just ask someone for help.
What should I wear?
Jesus welcomes all to sit at His feet and learn from him, so if you’re on this site and you need to get to a church right away: come as you are. You’ll be welcomed. If you have a little more time to plan, we recommend dressing like you would if you’re going to meet someone important. (You are. You’re going to meet Jesus and His family.) Most of our members wear business casual attire. Some people will wear nice jeans with a nice sweater or blouse while others will wear dresses and suits and ties.
Are children welcome?
Absolutely! We love to have children at our services. Your child will receive his/her own bulletin that contains activities and coloring pages that reinforce the weekly Gospel reading. The research is clear that the fewer distractions kids have, the better they are able to learn. Therefore, we encourage families with young children to sit as close to the front as possible. This seems counterintuitive, but when your up close your child can focus on what’s going on with the pastors. So, sit closer to the front, and by a side aisle. That way, if you’re little one gets a bit too rambunctious, you can duck out if you need to. (See “simulcast” below.)
Simulcast Downstairs
If your little one has a fit, or his big brother needs a little correction, just head down the steps in the back of the worship area. A simulcast of the service is broadcast downstairs in our Fellowship Hall. Our wives were single mothers in the pew while we were serving upstairs doing our pastor thing. There’s no shame in ducking out for a bit to give a child the chance to settle down. We’ve all been there. We’re thankful you’re here with your child. They’re challenging, but Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me.” (Luke 18:16)
Can I take communion?
Yes, if you’re a member in good standing of an LCMS congregation. If you believe a different Christian confession, when the time for the distribution of The Lord’s Supper comes, you may come forward and cross your hands in front of you to indicate you wish to receive a blessing.
We encourage you to read our communion statement and make an appointment with one of us to discuss what The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) is and why use the historic practice of closed communion.
If you are physically unable to come to the table, please let an usher know and the pastor will come to you and give you communion.
Will I be singled out in any way?
No, you won’t have to stand up and introduce yourself. However, you will be greeted. We try to be hospitable people. We try to welcome people.
We do ask you to fill out the attendance card and place it in the offering plate. If you have a question or prayer request, you can let us know there. Don’t worry, we don’t sell your data. You won’t be spammed. The card helps us know who was there and follow-up for pastoral care.
Do I have to sing along?
God loves to hear our voices, so—no—you don’t have to sing, but we encourage you to try. Most people, even if they’re tone deaf, learn to be decent singers over time. At the 5:00 pm and 8:00 am services congregational singing is accompanied primarily by the organ. At the 10:30 service singing is accompanied primarily by piano and guitar.
Will I be asked to give money?
No, we’re not going to attempt to sell you a diversified investment portfolio… but giving is good for the soul. That’s part of why we pass an offering plate. Do you have to give? No. Church is not a dues-paying club. That said, God expects our members to contribute to the His work. If you’re visiting and you want to give thanks to God for His work at St. Paul’s, you’re free to do so; if not, no problem.
How do I get there?
We are located on Fowler Lake, in downtown Oconomowoc, behind City Hall. From either direction on Wisconsin Avenue, turn on St. Paul Street (City Hall is on the corner). From Oakwood Avenue, turn right on Pleasant Street. We are on the corner of St. Paul and Pleasant Streets.
Directions to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Where should I park?
Parking is available in the St. Paul’s parking lot. This lot is the closest to the school entrance, which is handicap accessible. There is a public parking lot adjacent to the St. Paul’s lot. Both parking lots are located on the corner of St. Paul and Pleasant Streets. You may also park on Pleasant Street.