What to Expect on Your First Visit FAQ’s

We realize that it can be scary to walk into a new place - especially if you're not used to churches.  We would like to make coming to St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel as easy and non-threatening as possible, so here is some basic information about what to expect your first time here.

How do I find the place?

Click on the Directions link on the homepage and/or check out the van schedule, but the long and the short of it is this: We are located at 404 E Jefferson Street, which is:

·         The corner of Jefferson and Gilbert.

·         The church with the red doors.

·         Just south of John’s Grocery Store and Mercy Hospital.

·         The coolest church in town.

Once I get there how do I find the Chapel, the bathroom, the student center, etc.?

Our building was constructed in 1926 as a combination Chapel and house for the pastor. At present the house is used for the student center and offices.  It can be a little tricky to find your way around, because we have more stairs than all of Christendom combined!  That being said, here’s the basic layout

Basement level: Sunday school room, Hottel Center (fellowship hall/game room), kitchen, men’s and women’s restrooms.

Main floor: Chapel, student center, Director of International Student Ministry’s office.

Upper level: Pastor’s study, Secretary’s office, a combination Treasurer / Director of Development office and library, choir loft, and a nursing room / cry room.  There is also a restroom on this level.

What should I wear?

There is no dress code.  You will see people wearing business suits, dresses, jeans, shorts, and everything in between.

Who attends the Chapel?

Mainly undergraduate college students, but that’s not all.  We also have young married couples, families, a few elderly folks, and international students.  In other words, people like you.

When do you hold Bible class and Sunday school?

Bible class is held each Sunday morning at 9:00 AM when school is in session.  Bible class also meets in the summer; check the calendar for the schedule.

Sunday school meets from the September to May.  Check the calendar for the schedule.

What is Table Talk?

Table Talk begins at 7:00 PM on Wednesdays.  This is our Wednesday night study group in which the topics will be student generated and examined from the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. 

During the seasons of Advent and Lent, traditional midweek services are held in place of Table Talk. Check the calendar for the starting time of midweek services.

What do I need to know about the Sunday worship service?

We call the worship service the Divine Service, because of the emphasis on the persons and work of the Triune God in the service.  The Divine Service begins promptly on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM. 

About 10:15 AM or so, the ushers will greet people at the interior entrance to the Chapel.  You can get a bulletin (worship service folder) from one of them.  Please take one.  If there are no ushers present when you arrive, look for a stack of bulletins on the pew just inside the Chapel entrance.

Prior to the Divine Service most people gather in the student center until about 10:25 A.M.  It’s a great time and place to meet people and get your questions answered before the service.  Pastor Mons is usually at the interior entrance to the Chapel at about 10:20 AM.  You can feel free to talk to him then or catch him beforehand if you see him.  He’s pretty easy to spot: he’ll be the one in the clerical collar.

You mentioned a bulletin.  Why do I need that?

The bulletin provides you with an outline of the Divine Service.  It also contains a list of announcements and a weekly calendar. 

Where should I sit?

In whichever pew you would feel most comfortable.

What’s the Divine Service like? 

The atmosphere in worship is a little formal, but always friendly!  Please don’t worry about “making a mistake.”  If you get lost just ask the people around you for help.  They’ll be more than happy to lend a hand.

We use the new hymnal, Lutheran Service Book.  We rotate between the five services found in this book. 

We are blessed with a fine choir, an outstanding organist, and talented instrumentalists who assist us with the Divine Service.

What about the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion)?

We ordinarily offer the Lord’s Supper only to those who are communicant members of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or of congregations which are part of a church body which is in altar or pulpit fellowship with the LCMS.  The Scriptures teach that Holy Communion is to be a confession of a common faith (1 Cor. 10:17, Acts 2:42) and that those who are unprepared may even do themselves spiritual harm (1 Cor. 11:23-32).  We do not hereby presume to question another’s faith in Christ, but hold this historic position out of love for God’s Word and in care for souls.  Inviting all Christians to Communion would imply a oneness which does not yet exist but for which we must all pray.  Even as we try to respect the practices of other Christian denominations so we ask others to respect our practice.  Those who would like to discuss this practice at more length may make an appointment with our pastor to do so.

Each Sunday we have many visitors who are unable to commune with us. Many of them remain in the pew. Some, however, come forward to receive a blessing.  If you wish to receive a blessing, please feel free to come forward.  Please stand with your hands behind your back to indicate that you would like a blessing. 

What if I have some other questions?

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask anyone you see, or you may contact Pastor Mons by phone: 319-337-3652 or by email maxmons@juno.com.

You can also contact the ISM Director Andrew Bayless by e-mail ismdirector@stpaulic.com or one of the Peer Ministry Team members.