Thank-you for your interest in visiting St. Andrew Lutheran Church! We look forward to seeing you at our worship services, it will be a pleasure to show you why our church’s motto – Come and See! All are Welcome! Go and Tell! – is truly the feeling you’ll get worshipping our Lord at St. Andrew.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are your services like?
- Worshiping with us at St. Andrew Lutheran will bring you in contact with a congregation that will welcome you, and do everything possible to make you feel like a part of our family. Services typically run about an hour in length, but can be longer as the spirit moves us.
- Each service consists of four main elements:
- Gathering: Confession and Forgiveness, a remembrance of baptism, and an opening hymn
- Word: a Sermon is given based on one of the three readings from the lectionary and a Psalm is usually sung
- Meal: Holy Communion is served at every service
- Sending: prayer, hymn, and a call for all to Share the Good News
- When should I arrive?
- Our church body tends to gather in the narthex (lobby) before service anytime up to half an hour before worship begins. You’ll usually see our church family chatting about the week they just had, sharing a laugh, or comforting each other in times of need. Five minutes before the start of worship, a bell will be rung to let everyone know that worship is about to begin.
- What should I wear?
- At St. Andrew Lutheran, we are very open to whatever you would like to wear. Some members will wear a traditional “Sunday best” but others are entirely casual in jeans and a comfortable shirt. As the motto says: “All are Welcome!” so feel free to come as you are and wear whatever will make you feel most at ease for worshipping God.
- Who is allowed to take communion?
- All are welcome at our table to receive God’s grace through the sacrament of Communion, regardless of age. We offer both wine and grape juice, and if there are dietary restrictions on either element of the eucharist, you may simply place your hands in an X shape over your chest, and you will receive a blessing.
- Are children welcome? Is there a nursery available? What about a crying room?
- Everyone at St. Andrew loves having children in our worship as they are the future of our world, and sharing the Good News of the Word with them, no matter how how young, is important to us. Each week, a children’s bulletin is also printed and available from the ushers along with children’s activity bags filled with crayons and quiet activities for children.
- However, we understand that sometimes there can be a need for even the most patient of parents to have a more peaceful, contemplative time at worship, and there is a nursery available for that reason.
- In instances where there is a fussy child, you may use the library (located across the lobby from the sanctuary) for calming your young one.
- How accessible is the church for those who are handicapped? Are there hearing devices available if I am hearing impaired? What about large print bulletins?
- Our church is fully accessible by wheelchair, and even if you were to come to worship without a wheelchair but need one later, we have one that can be provided to you. There are also assistive hearing devices and large print bulletins available. See an usher or council person on duty for more information.
- What kinds of restaurants or businesses are nearby?
- Our church is located in a wonderful neighborhood on the northeast side of Cedar Rapids, and is surrounded by homes to the east and south. The driveways connect to Center Point Rd on the west side of our property, where you can easily get to O’Reilly’s Auto Parts next door, Randy Kuehl Honda across the street, and McGrath Dodge next to O’Reilly’s. To the south on Center Point Rd, you can find restaurants like Wendy’s, KFC, Parlor City Ice Cream Parlor (on 42nd Street) and if you’re into Indian food, the Taj Majal. We’re also located nearby the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and Noelridge Park, for those interested in biking, walking, jogging the trails, or other play at the park.