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Welcome to Worship 

Answers to frequently asked questions about our church and its services.

From the Pastor:

Dear friends,
 

It can be hard to go to a church for the first time.  There are so many questions that aren't answered in the mailings and newspaper ads.

For example, "Will I know how to get into the building for the service, or will I pick the wrong door?"  "What do I do with my children?"  "What should I wear?"  "What will the service be like?"  Unknown factors like these can make going to a new church intimidating.

With the following information we hope we can answer some of the questions you might have about our church before you visit.  We'd like to make your visit with us relaxed and enriching.

Our deepest wish is that when you visit our church, you will hear about your Savior, Jesus, and come to know even better the grace and love of God.

Sincerely,

Pastor Jim Turriff

Location and Time

Grace Lutheran Church is Located at 1207 S 7th Ave.  The parking entrance is off of Cornell Ave.

Our worship service begins at 9:30 am Afterwards, we have a time for fellowship.   Please take this time to make new friends or find old ones.

At 10:45 am we begin our Bible Hour.  Sunday School is open to children beginning at age three; although the exact age can vary if an individual child is ready to begin.   Our adult classes and teen class also meet at this time.

Sunday Worship

Every church has its own style of worship.  We think you'll enjoy the services at Grace Church, but as in any church you should expect it to take a couple of Sundays to become accustomed to our way of praising God together.

Each week the service is printed in the worship folder.  All the readings and prayers are printed there for you.  You will also find personal prayers to use before and after the service.  You are welcome to bring along your own Bible and follow along there if you choose.

Our services focus on readings from the Bible where we hear God talk to us.  Music and singing are an important part of our services too.  Loud or soft, in monotone or rich harmony, all our praises are music to God as we respond to hearing His Word.  You might even remember a favorite hymn or song to ask our pastor to use in an upcoming service.




I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."   Psalm 122:1

The services usually include the following parts in a variety of forms:

• The Invocation - We call on the name of our Savior God as we praise him.
  

• Admitting sins and finding forgiveness - We acknowledge that we have not always done what God asks.  Then we are assured of forgiveness because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.
  
• Bible Readings - We hear selections from God's Old Testament prophets, Jesus' apostles, and from Jesus himself in the Gospels. The pastor also gives a brief explanation of each reading.
  
• Sermon - Our pastor offers instruction and encouragement in a Bible-based sermon.  We hear how we can expect God's guidance and grace for dealing with problems, as well as the promise of eternal life in heaven through Jesus. (samples)
  
• Response to the Word - We respond with offerings and prayers for the things God has promised to us and for strength to do what he has asked.
  
• Parting blessing - We hear one last assurance of God's care.
  
   

Mixed throughout these different parts of our service are hymns and short songs to praise God.

Our worship uses traditional forms and modern language and application. The traditional brings us the best from God's Church throughout the ages and the contemporary brings God's promises and his will into our daily lives.  We hope you enjoy both.

Sometimes people wonder how they are expected to dress at a church they've never visited before.

Since the Bible presents no dress code, aside from simple decency and Christian humility, Grace Church doesn't make any rules either.

Like most people, our members try to make their worship time at church a special time.  This is often reflected in the way they dress.

But dress is a personal matter of worship before God.  One may dress casually and rejoice that we have a God who accepts us as we are.  Another may dress to reflect the awe and reverence we have for our Savior King.

On any Sunday at our church you may see running shoes and high heels, jeans and suits, open collars and ties.  When a person dresses out of love for God, the choice of dress ­ casual or more formal ­ is acceptable to God . . . and us.

Offerings

"When will they take the offering?"  "How will it be collected?"  "How much am I expected to give?"  "Do they want visitors to contribute too?"  These are typical worries about church offerings.

You may wish at first to learn more about our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church.

The Bible teaches that our offerings to God should reflect our belief that all we have is his gift to us.  It teaches us that with our offerings we worship and honor God.

Like most Christians, our members bring offerings to God through their church.  Since offerings are gifts of love for God, no one dictates what each person is to give.

We pass an offering plate during the service so that our worship may include bringing gifts to God.  Offering envelopes are available and keep our gifts a private matter known only to God .

We look to Christ and his love to motivate us in our giving- whether it is a child putting in coins or an adult writing out a check.

You may wish at first to learn more about our ministry before bringing your offerings to God through our church.  But you are welcome to participate as your heart leads you to give.

The worst that can happen . . .

Attending church somewhere for the first time can be intimidating.  Here are some common worries:

"I would just die if they made me stand up and say something."  We assure you, we won't embarrass you in this or any other way.  We want you to feel comfortable and at home with us.  Church should be an enjoyable and uplifting experience.  We promise to do all we can so you can relax and learn about your Savior.

"I know my child is going to be too noisy."  We encourage parents of young children to attend worship service with their children. This begins the good habits of attending worship services at an early age. The back rows are reserved for parents with young children. If required, a nursery room is available at the back of the sanctuary.

"I know I will feel out of place."  We hope that this website will ease your mind, but if you have a question, please ask someone for help.  Don't hesitate to say, "I am new.  What is this about?" 

"I am afraid I will say or do something wrong."  All of us have felt this way when in a new situation.  But we hope you see the people of our congregation to be ordinary people like yourself.  We want to accept you as you are and help you become what Christ wants you to be.  We do not want to throw cold water on that by being critical.

"I just want to watch at first and I know that they will try to involve me or sign me up."  It is unpleasant to be pressured or to be part of a "membership drive" as though we were heads of cattle, isn't it?  We believe that church membership should be a voluntary thing, and that the most important thing is to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins and salvation.  It takes time for this to be cultivated.  People need time to evaluate and decide if they wish further involvement.  We believe we should respect that need.

"I don't know that much about the Bible." Church and Bible Study are opportunities to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and faith in Jesus.  You won't have to read or answer any questions you don't want to answer.  And remember, sometimes the wisest words we say are, "I don't know."

About our Church Body

Grace Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).  The WELS is a world-wide church with congregations in all 50 states as well as Canada.  The WELS also serves over 25 countries through world mission work.

Our congregation and church body are solidly based on the foundation of the Bible.  We believe that Jesus is our Savior and the only way to heaven.  Through faith in Jesus we are united to him and each other. 

The name "Lutheran" comes from the great reformer Martin Luther.  In a period in history when the Church had lost sight of its Savior and the truth of his Word, Martin Luther boldly challenged these errors and preached Jesus Christ as Savior.  We are proud to remember his work in bringing to light the truth of God's Word by using his name to identify ourselves.

Our Pastor  

Pastor Jim Turriff is a 1991 graduate of Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin [B. A.] and a 1995 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin [M. Div].  Before he came to Yakima he served two years at Luther Preparatory School as a dormitory supervisor, assistant football coach, and religion and physical education instructor. Pastor Turriff also served a mission congregation in suburban Huntsville, Alabama, seeing God grow it from worship in a hotel conference room and school cafeteria to having its own facility and a preschool with an enrollment of 48. He and his family live in Terrace Heights.  His wife Janine is a preschool teacher and teaches piano lessons. They are blessed with two children- Emma and Evan   As a family they love to travel and look forward to seeing more of this slice of God’s creation.  Jim and Janine look forward to meeting you personally and serving you in any way that they can.