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Sunday Morning Worship: 8:45 and 10:15 a.m.
Sunday Morning German Worship: 8:45 a.m. on fourth Sundays of the month
Sunday Morning VintageTen Worship downtown (10th & Locust, below The Bridge) at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Adult Bible Study: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School: NEW! Children (and parents) gather down front in church at 10 a.m. for a 15-minute opening session before worship begins at 10:15. Children return to you in the sanctuary around 11 a.m.
What to expect when you come to Historic Trinity
It's not easy visiting a new church for the first time. Will the people be friendly? Will they be too friendly? Will I be able to remain somewhat inconspicuous? Will my kids enjoy it? Am I welcome even if I'm not sure about my faith and organized religion?
At Historic Trinity we want to make your experience enjoyable and "user-friendly." Our hope is, that no matter where you are in your faith and experience with church, you will find it easy and non-threatening to worship here.
About Worshiping at Trinity
Getting started
When you arrive, you can park in the fenced lot on the corner of 8th and Soulard, directly north of the church. You enter the parking lot from 8th Street or through the alley gate. Or park anywhere on the street.
Entering the church from 8th Street, you will find friendly greeters who will answer any questions you have. If this is your first time, they will give you a visitor packet and an usher will give you a worship program or "bulletin" that has everything you will need to follow along and participate as you wish.
If you have small children feel free to ask the ushers for some of our kids’ stuff. You may take an infant directly to the nursery (located in the parish house, reached through the door at the left, front of the sanctuary). Children are always welcome to sit with you during church. Children two years or older may be sent off to Sunday School held in the Parish House immediately after the Children’s’ Sermon. Our Sunday School teachers will bring your children back to sit with you just as the Communion part of the service begins. You are welcome to come to Sunday with your child, especially the first time.
How we worship
We begin our worship by standing to sing a hymn in your bulletin and watching the entry of the cross in procession. Our worship usually continues by asking God to forgive us and help us. The pastor says a few words assuring us that God's love and forgiveness is real. If you are familiar with Lutheran worship, the style will be very familiar to you as "liturgical," which means it has a predictable pattern that varies throughout the year.
Normally the entire service will be printed in your bulletin. At Trinity the congregation and choir sing a wide variety of traditional, contemporary and spiritual songs. Next, we say a prayer and listen to a few readings from the Bible. Every Sunday we read from the Old Testament, we read or sing a psalm, and we read from one of the Epistles (Letters) and from one of the Gospels. The sermon message that follows is based on the Bible readings, relating them to our lives.
We continue by joining in a statement of our faith, either the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed. At the Offering, members and regular attendees will put their offering in the plate as it passes by. Please feel welcome to be our guest and do not feel pressure to give.
About Holy Communion
Each Sunday, we offer Communion, also known as The Lord's Supper or the Eucharist (from the Greek for thanksgiving). Here we celebrate in a way that Jesus taught us, understanding that Jesus is present in the bread and wine. These are tangible ways we can experience God's love and grace. If you are a baptized Christian, share our belief in our Lord’s presence in this meal for the forgiveness of sins and amendment of our lives, you are welcome to come forward. You will receive the wafer (bread) from the Pastor. You may then sip the wine from one of the chalices or dip your wafer into either the wine or grape juice on the small table. Children are always welcome to come with their family for a blessing. If you are not sure you would like to have Communion, please feel no pressure to come up. Instead just sit back, listen to the music and relax. Just before communing, we greet each other by shaking hands to share God's peace.
How we conclude
Our service ends with prayers, a blessing and a song. Acolytes extinguish the candles on the altar and carry the cross out of the worship space. After the service we hope you can stay for at least a few minutes to meet some us. Sunday morning is about worship but also about our relationships with each other. Trinity is a warm and inviting place to come. People often remark about how friendly it feels.
Thank you for your interest in Historic Trinity. I hope you'll stop by this Saturday or Sunday. If you do, please tell us you read this on the internet.
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