Worship at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer of Elkhart, Indiana
Weekly Worship
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Elkhart, Indiana offers liturgically rich worship in a friendly, light-hearted atmosphere. We are an active worshiping community that enjoys the gifts of our vocal and bell choir.
Holy Communion is offered every Sunday at both worship services and also at our Monday evening worship service.
Our facility is handicapped and wheel-chair accessible. Large print bulletins and hearing impaired devices are available upon request.
Sunday, 8:30am and 11:00am Worship with Holy Communion
Monday, 7:00pm Worship with Holy Communion
Children's Church: 8:30am and 11:00am
Children (preschool - grade 2): Redeemer offers a unique and effective alternative to traditional children's Sunday school. Our Children's Church meets during both of our Sunday morning worship services. After the children's message, the children proceed to the Fellowship Hall for a lesson and activity and then return to worship for their blessing during distribution of Holy Communion.
Special Worship
The Season of Advent
The word Advent basically means, "something is coming." As Christians we know and celebrate this season of the church year as a time to prepare, reflect and acknowledge the gift of God's Son, Jesus. The arrival of Jesus on earth---both on that first Christmas morning and on the day when he will come again---seals God's promise of a Savior, of our salvation and eternal life in Him. The color blue has now become the norm for many churches during this season. Blue represents the hope and anticipation we have as we wait for the coming of the Christ.
The Season of Lent
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. At this service, we receive ashes on our foreheads in the sign of a cross and hear the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." In these words, we recall our sinfulness, our fallen nature, our humanity. Lent is a time to reflect on our sinful thoughts, words and deeds that ultimately led Jesus to the cross.
And yet Lent is also a season of hope in its own way. As the dust returns to the earth, a place is made for new life and new growth. Just as a tree cannot produce new leaves until the old have died and fallen to the ground, so we too are prepared for a new birth through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we die to sin, we find new life in Christ.
Palm Sunday
Special liturgy recalling Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem and telling the story of Christ's passion according to the Gospel of Mark.
Holy Week
Maundy Thursday
Noon - Joint worship service of Holy Communion at Grace Lutheran Church, Elkhart
7:00pm - Maundy Thursday worship service of Holy Communion at Redeemer
Good Friday
Noon - Joint Service focusing on the Passion of Christ in the Stations of the Cross
7:00pm - Tenebrae service of reading, hymns and gradual darkness
Holy Saturday
7:30pm Easter Vigil at Augustana Lutheran church in Elkhart, celebrating the stories of God's plan of salvation in a unique worship setting
Easter
The Lord is risen indeed! The open tomb of Jesus is the door to a new way of being in the world. Easter is not one day but fifty. For a week of weeks-fifty days-the church will explore the dimensions of this new life and raise a joyful alleluia! Come and celebrate with us Jesus glorious resurrection from the dead and the wonderful saving good news this brings to all of God's children.
Pentecost
A Celebration of our Gifts
All Saints Sunday
Remembering the Great Cloud of Witnesses
Thanksgiving
It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks...but once a year we celebrate the goodness of God's provision in a special way. Redeemer's service of thanksgiving is held the evening before the national holiday. It is a time to focus our prayers and praise and return to say thank you for abundant grace of our Lord.
The service of Holy Communion on the eve before Thanksgiving begins at 7:00pm. The service will include many hymns of thanks and praise, lessons and meditations on scripture passages that direct our thanks. Plan to attend and invite your friends and family to join the celebration.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service
December 24th at 6:30pm and 11:00pm. Choir concert at 10:45pm.
Epiphany
Epiphany marks the season of light and revelation. The wise men have followed the star to Jesus and come to worship him. King Herod grows increasingly wary of this young boy he has heard is known as the Messiah. Jesus amazes the rabbis and priests with his knowledge of scripture at a young age. John the Baptist baptizes Jesus and God himself calls Jesus his Son, the beloved. Jesus' earthly ministry has begun; Light has truly entered the world.
