Holy Family Lutheran Church
learning, living, and sharing God’s Word
Visitors
We will be Christ's open arms
No matter your faith, your situation, or your past, we welcome you with open arms. We invite you to join us for worship, an educational or service event, or fellowship opportunity. You are welcome to explore faith and to explore Holy Family at your own pace. We won't pressure you to join. We will invite you to join in the things that make Holy Family a spiritual home for a diverse group of people. It's okay to ask questions around here.
Scroll down to read about...
+ What to expect when you visit for worship
++ If you come for an educational event on Sunday morning
+++ Handicap accessibility
What to expect when you visit Holy Family...
When you enter Northern United Place through the 50th (Franklin) Avenue doors, immediately on your left is our worship space, the chapel. Before worship somebody will be there to welcome you and give you a program that guides you through the worship service. Where to sit is your choice. In the seats you'll find one of our worship books, and an information card you can choose to fill out (it's not required.) For children, there's a box with clip boards, activity and reading books, markers and such just inside the chapel doors. The greeter at the door has a new activity sheet for children each Sunday; these include a theme from one of the day's Bible readings.
Worship usually begins with a song or some inspiring words from the Bible. A prayer or two that gathers us in and gets us ready to worship and hear the Bible readings may follow. We usually stand when we sing or pray. Two to four Bible readings and the sermon come next. We believe the Bible readings still have much to teach us. The preacher/pastor will share insights or comments from those readings. The preacher/pastor probably won't tell you exactly what you have to think and may leave you with questions on what the Bible's teaching means for your own life. Prayers for people near and far follow; we invite everyone to say a prayer silently or out loud; the choice is yours. Because we care for others near and far and have ministries of help, healing, education and so much more across Canada and the world, an offering is taken. What you give is between you and God. Giving and generosity is something we're always growing into. And we give our time and our talents, not just money. We give out of a sense of gratitude, not guilt.
Holy Communion is next. It's the meal Jesus gave us, embodying just how much he loves us and just how far he will go to give us new life. Communion isn't a reward for being good, it's to strengthen people who want to grow closer to God. You don't have to be a member of this church to share in the Communion. We believe Jesus comes to us with the bread and wine and we treasure his words, "my body given for you" and "my blood shed for you" -- especially the FOR YOU part. At Communion, the bread is placed in your hand, and you can eat it right away. After that your individual glass can be filled with wine or grape juice and drank right away. Somebody will take your empty glass before you go back to your seat. After communion we pray our thanks to God, receive a blessing, and are sent into the world to live our faith, to love and be loved.
Lutheran Christians like to sing. We usually sing an opening song, a song after the sermon, a song or two during communion, and a song at the end. Most of the songs will relate to the theme of the day's Bible readings. We might even sing our prayers or praises at other times iduring worship. You don't have to feel like a good singer to participate. Sing as you can, not as you can't.
And worship isn't just led by the pastor. The Bible readings are read by worshipers. One to three musicians play instruments or help lead our singing. Children and adults help serve Communion and collect the offering. All these people are volunteers and are offered training so they can feel comfortable.
After worship, especially during the school year, we linger in the second floor foyer for refreshments and visiting. Bathrooms are on the first floor, down the hall opposite the chapel entrance.
If you come for an educational event on Sunday morning...
Sunday School (age 3 to grade 6, in three age groups/classes) usually begins in the chapel with singing at 10 am. Confirmation (grades 7-9) meets in Room 206 at 10 am. Adult Bible study (high school and older) meets in Room 211 at 10 am. All of the classrooms are on the second floor. As you enter Northern United Place from the 50th (Franklin Avenue) entrance, go through the foyer and up the stairs; classrooms will be to your left. No prior experience is required to participate in any of our classes; come as you are. And bring your questions. The teachers are volunteers who are growing in their faith, too.
Handicap accessibility...
Here's what our landlord has in place at the moment. Curbside handicap parking and the entrance ramp for Northern United Place is on the 54th Street side of the building. At the top of the ramp, enter through the doors marked Northern United Place Apartments. Because these are secure doors, you'll need to use the intercom to buzz the security officer on duty (dial 0100) or the Lutheran church office (dial 0102). Somebody will come unlock the glass security doors. An elevator for the apartments also gives access to our second floor classrooms and offices. Again, a glass security door separates the apartments and eleveator side from the chruch side. While we know this isn't an ideal situation, we really DO want you here and are happy to work with you. You can always call our church office, 873-3809, with questions about accessibility.
Office Address:
Northern United Place
5403 50th Avenue
Yellowknife
Northwest Territories