1 .- What if I haven’t been to church in a long time?

Not a problem! In fact, we don’t care if you have never been to church. Each week, people visit SHLC for the first time. Our worship services are easy to follow and don’t require that you have any past church experience.

2 .- What if I am not Lutheran?

While SHLC is a congregation of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod we are open to all people seeking to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Being Lutheran isn’t nearly as important as simply having a heart to seek Christ. If you want to learn more about Lutheran understanding and practice of the Christian faith, that’s an option. But it’s certainly not a requirement for attending.

3 .- What can I expect when I come to Somerset Hills Lutheran Church?

You can expect to be greeted warmly at the door and receive a folder for that worship service. The worship service will include music, Bible readings, a relevant message from the pastor. Depending on the service, there may also be baptisms and Holy Communion. The pastor will pray during service, and you may also receive individual prayer after the service from our prayer partners. These are people trained to confidentially speak and pray with you.

4 .- What should I wear?

Wear what you feel is comfortable and appropriate. We do not have a dress code and we certainly wouldn’t want you to worry about this! Some people wear jeans and t-shirt, while others come in “business casual” attire. Some people prefer to dress up, while others prefer to dress down. We are more concerned about your heart and your needs than we are about your clothing.

5 .- What about Sunday School for the children?

We have a wonderful program for children of all ages. Almost every Sunday (about 3 of every 4 weeks), adults and children begin worship together in the Sanctuary. There will be a special lesson for the Sunday School children (ages 3 – grade 8) near the beginning of the service, after which we pray for the children and sing a song of blessing for them as they leave with their teachers and guides to go to Sunday School. In class there will be singing, prayer, more work on the lesson for the day, and a craft project. About one Sunday each month, instead of going to Sunday School, all the children remain with their parents in the sanctuary for a special “Family Sunday” service. Youth from grades 6 – 12 attend the worship service every Sunday. For students in grades 6 – 8, we offer a great Confirmation Ministry called “Wednesday Nite Out” consisting of fun activities, weekly lessons about the basics of the Christian faith, small group experiences, and prayer. For young people in grades 9-12 “Teen Forum” occurs every other Sunday following worship. In Teen Forum, the kids love to be together for refreshments, discussion of relevant faith/life topics, and time for prayer and caring. YANKS (Young Adults – No KidS) is an exciting new ministry for post-high school/college/20’s something/young marrieds with no children that meets every other Sunday following worship. There are relevant Bible-based discussions, caring for one another in a small group setting, and other fellowship activities. For the littlest tykes, we have a nursery with a loving qualified staff, a room for restless kids and nursing mothers. All of these areas are safe with age-appropriate toys.

6 .- What if I want to receive Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper)?

Baptized adult Christians who know they need God’s daily forgiveness, who are sorry for their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, and who believe that the body and blood of Jesus Christ are truly present in the Lord’s Supper are invited to share this great gift of God with us. Jesus called us to celebrate Holy Communion until he returns so that we may have forgiveness of sins, strengthening of faith, and the power to live God-pleasing lives. God’s Word tells us that when we receive the Lord’s Supper, we are not merely receiving bread and wine, but the true, real body and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 26:26-30, “This is my body… this is my blood;” not “this represents my body” or “this symbolizes my blood.” We ask that children experience our Communion Preparation classes in the 5th and 6th grades before communing. We also offer adult instruction through our Just One Thing Class. If you have doubts or do not understand our beliefs about the Lord’s Supper, please call our church office and ask to speak to one of the pastors, who would be happy to help you understand the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. White grape juice is located in the inner ring of the Communion tray for those who prefer its use.

7 .- I’m struggling with some personal problems. Is help available?

Yes. Many people, including Christians, face challenges in their personal and family lives. These can include addictions, marital problems, financial crises, abuse, depression, divorce, deaths of loved ones, physical trauma and emotional problems. We want to support you and encourage healing in your life however possible. It is admirable and courageous to recognize that you need support in sorting out life's difficulties. You may request to meet with our pastor to discuss your problem in confidence.

8 .- How do I get involved?

The opportunities are endless. Possibly you want to get involved in Bible study or join a small group. (Small groups are an awesome way to get connected to other Christians in fellowship, Bible study and spiritual growth!). Maybe you simply want to see where you can volunteer or what’s available for your children or teens. Upcoming events would also give you the chance to fellowship with other believers.

9 .- How do I become a member?

We offer regular classes for membership called “The ABC (About Being Christian) class” in which the basics of the Christian faith are discussed from the perspective of our Lutheran understanding. The ABC class is required if you have never been confirmed in the Lutheran church as a teen or adult. People coming to SHLC from another Lutheran Church may also transfer their membership and become part of our Church family, and they are also urged to be part of the ABC Class.

10 .- What if I want to have my child baptized, or get married at Somerset Hills Lutheran Church?

Please contact the church office or our pastor to discuss these arrangements.