Welcome!

We hope you will enjoy services at Victory, but as with any church you are not used to, it will likely take more than one Sunday for you to become accustomed to our worship service and facility. We hope the information below will help you familiarize yourself with these aspects of Victory Lutheran Church. Specifically, we tell you below what to expect when entering victory, what to expect in our typical worship service, and we try to answer questions you may have before you even ask them. We hope this information will make you as comfortable as possible, as we understand that visiting a church for the first time may be intimidating. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us!

Entering Victory

When you enter our church, you will be in a room called the entryway. In this room you will be warmly greeted by our pastor, ushers, and other members, and can help yourself to coffee (to your right when you walk in). When you enter, the women’s restroom (baby changing table available inside) is to your right, and the men’s restroom is to your left. Also to your right, next to the women’s restroom, is the cry room. Essentially, this is a sound proof room that you can take babies or young children if they are getting anxious or need to be fed. This room also has children’s books for you to read to them. There is a computer speaker hooked up inside the room so you can listen to the service, and a window with blinds so you can either see the service or have privacy.In the narthex, the ushers will give you a bulletin, or worship folder. The bulletin outlines our worship service, including the hymns we will be singing, and the Scripture readings from the Bible that you will be hearing. The bulletin will also have page numbers for inside the hymnal (found below the seats in front of where you sit) which gives a detailed, general outline of our church service. You are then free to find seats in church wherever you feel most comfortable.

Worship Service

Worship services at Victory Lutheran are structured and are based on a different, Christ-centered, theme each week. The sermon, hymns, and prayers revolve around the Scripture readings for that week. Services usually include the following parts:

Confession of sins and finding forgiveness - We acknowledge that we have not always done what God asks; i.e., we confess that we are by nature sinful. We are then assured of forgiveness because of what Jesus Christ has done for us!

Bible Readings - We hear a lesson from God's Word in the Old Testament, a lesson from God through Jesus' apostles, and finally a Gospel lesson from Jesus himself.

Children’s Lesson – A short, special lesson based on the theme for the day is usually given for children, who are invited to come, if they wish, to the front of the church and sit down with pastor.

Sermon - We hear an in depth lesson from God’s Word, which tells us of His promise to believers of eternal life in heaven through Jesus. If you would like to see a previous sermon, please click here.

Hymns - Throughout our worship service, including the beginning and end, we sing hymns of praise to God. Hymn numbers are printed in the bulletin and are on hymn boards in the front of church. You can find hymns in the red hymnals below the chairs in front of where you sit.

Prayers – Multiple prayers to God are given in our service.

Offering – Members of Victory Lutheran give offerings after the sermon. We do not expect guests to give offerings, although you are always welcome if you so desire. For more information, please see below.

If you have any questions about anything you see or hear, please feel free to ask pastor or members after the service, or contact us. Additionally, below we have answers to potential questions you may have.

Questions You May Have

Am I expected to give an offering, and when and how is the offering collected?

Members of Victory Lutheran give offerings after the sermon. We do not expect guests to give offerings, although you are always welcome if you so desire. When offerings are collected, two ushers go to the front of the church, and our pastor hands them offering plates. The ushers then go row by row with the offering plate.

Again, do not feel that you need to put in an offering. However, you may be given the offering plate to pass down the row.

Why do members give offerings?

All that we have is a gift from God. By His grace, God has blessed us with countless gifts, including our victory through Jesus Christ. With our offerings, we worship and honor God. They are gifts of love for God.

Will I be asked to stand up and say something?

No. We want you to feel comfortable and at home at Victory, and do not want to do anything that has the potential to make you feel uncomfortable. We want you to be relaxed and learn about what your Savior has done for you.

Will I feel out of place?

We hope that our website will help you familiarize yourself with us such that you will not feel out of place. Furthermore, we would love to have you visit with us, and will do all we can to make you feel welcome.

What if I have babies or young children who may be noisy?

That’s alright. Our congregation has many families with young children and babies, and we encourage you to bring your entire family. The back rows of church are meant for parents with young children. Furthermore, we have the sound proof room to which you can take your young children or babies while still being able to listen and see the service.

Will members try to pressure me into joining Victory or signing me up for congregational activities?

No. Again, we emphasize that we want to make you feel comfortable and welcome. We understand that you will need time to evaluate and decide if you wish to continue to visit Victory. We believe that church membership should be voluntary, and faith comes from hearing God’s Word, not by pressure.

What if I don’t know much about the Bible?

Everyone is welcome! Church services, Bible Study, Teens Class, and Sunday School are all opportunities to learn more about God’s Word in the Bible. You will not have to read or answer questions.

What should I wear?

Many members wear business casual, although some dress up more or less. However, the Bible presents no dress code.

Where am I supposed to sit?

Please feel free to sit wherever you feel most comfortable. If you need assistance, an usher will be able to help you.