ABIDING PRESENCE LUTHERAN CHURCH
What does it mean to be a member of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church?
All are welcome to join us for worship services and to take part in the many other church activities and groups during the week, whether you are an official member of the congregation or not. If you wish to make a deeper commitment to our life and work as a congregation, you may officially join as a "member" of the congregation. Membership allows you to vote at congregational meetings and to serve as an officer or leader in some aspect of the church's ministry. Membership expectations include attending worship regularly, receiving Holy Communion, and contributing through offerings of your time, talents and financial resources to the work of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church.
All are welcome to join us for worship services and to take part in the many other church activities and groups during the week, whether you are an official member of the congregation or not. If you wish to make a deeper commitment to our life and work as a congregation, you may officially join as a "member" of the congregation. Membership allows you to vote at congregational meetings and to serve as an officer or leader in some aspect of the church's ministry. Membership expectations include attending worship regularly, receiving Holy Communion, and contributing through offerings of your time, talents and financial resources to the work of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Visitors Ask about Visiting Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Ewing, NJ
What Visitors Ask about Visiting Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Ewing, NJ
Worship
I don't have much of a Church background; am I welcome here?
Yes, absolutely! Everyone is welcome here, especially visitors and people with little church background! We believe God has a special place in God's heart for those who are searching and may have questions or even doubts about God, the spiritual life, or joining a community of faith. We will offer you opportunities to grow in your faith in God and spiritual life. We also recognize that people may be at different places in their faith journey and may want to proceed at their own pace in that journey. We are comfortable with people from other faith traditions and denominations. Our congregation is made up of many different types of people and families with varied backgrounds, and we appreciate and welcome the diversity of experience and life history that they bring.
What does Lutheran mean?
This church is a part of the large Protestant branch of the Christian Church that traces back to a church reformer named Martin Luther. Luther was a Catholic monk who lived in the 1500's A.D. He sought to bring the Roman Catholic Church back to its ancient core mission of proclaiming the good news of God's free and unmerited love and forgiveness to all people through faith in Jesus, but he and his followers were forced out and formed the Lutheran church.
Among Christians, the Lutheran tradition is a kind of bridge among Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox since it shares some aspects of all three great traditions of Christianity. The ordered liturgy of the Lutheran worship service and the importance of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion have many similarities to the Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Orthodox traditions. But the Lutheran church also shares with other Protestants (e.g., Presbyterians, Methodists) a strong emphasis on the Word of God and the importance of the Bible as the vehicle for God's living Word for us today.
Lutherans number 70 million people worldwide. Our congregation belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which includes about 4.6 million members. For more information, go to this web address: www.elca.org
Among Christians, the Lutheran tradition is a kind of bridge among Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox since it shares some aspects of all three great traditions of Christianity. The ordered liturgy of the Lutheran worship service and the importance of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion have many similarities to the Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Orthodox traditions. But the Lutheran church also shares with other Protestants (e.g., Presbyterians, Methodists) a strong emphasis on the Word of God and the importance of the Bible as the vehicle for God's living Word for us today.
Lutherans number 70 million people worldwide. Our congregation belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which includes about 4.6 million members. For more information, go to this web address: www.elca.org
Can I take Holy Communion when I visit the worship service?
We welcome all people (of whatever age) to the Lord's table to take the bread and wine of Holy Communion a) if you have been baptized in any Christian tradition or denomination and b) if you have taken communion in your home congregation.
If you are not a baptized Christian or if you have never taken communion but would like to explore how to do so, please talk to one of the pastors after the worship service or call the church office during the week. They would be delighted to discuss with you what baptism and communion mean and how you might prepare to participate in a meaningful way.
If you are not a baptized Christian or if you have never taken communion but would like to explore how to do so, please talk to one of the pastors after the worship service or call the church office during the week. They would be delighted to discuss with you what baptism and communion mean and how you might prepare to participate in a meaningful way.
How is Holy Communion served during the worship service?
During the time of COVID-19 response, communion will be received in a slightly different manner in keeping with safe, social-distancing practices: after the invitation to the table, the pastor will wash their hands and return to the altar, signaling that it is time to receive. Please remain in your seat until directed by an usher to come forward to the altar where the pastor will be waiting with the bread and wine. If someone else is still ahead of you, please maintain social distance as you wait. As you approach, there will be a station with hand sanitizer for you to use, if you like. When you arrive at the altar, you may choose to receive both the bread and the wine, only the bread, or simply a blessing. If you wish to receive only the bread or if you require gluten free bread, please tell the pastor. If you wish to receive a blessing, please cross your arms over your chest, and the pastor will bless you without touch. To receive communion, hold out cupped hands into which the pastor will gently drop the bread so as not to touch you. If you are receiving both bread and wine, the pastor will lightly dip the bread into the wine before giving it to you. Once you have received, you will see a station on either side where you may remove your mask and commune. You will be directed by the pastor to the one closest to the side where you were seated. If the person before you is still there, please wait where you are until they leave. At the communing station, there will be hand sanitizer to use when you have finished. When you arrive, please remove your mask using the ear strap (do not touch the mask itself) and eat the bread. Once you have communed, please replace your mask and return to your seat down the side.
A Note on Celebrating Holy Communion in a Time of Pandemic
The celebration of Holy Communion is a proclamation of God's grace, not a constraint upon it. God gives us nothing in Holy Communion which is not also received through God's Word, which we proclaim through our preaching, reading of scripture, singing of hymns, and praying. In all these ways, we receive the fullness of God's grace and mercy when we hear Jesus as he says, "This is my body, given for you" and "This is my body, shed for you," trusting that his promise is true. Those who chose to partake in Holy Communion do indeed receive the true body and blood of Christ as a sign and seal of their union with him and assurance that God's grace and mercy are theirs, but those who do not partake—especially for the sake of their health—are by no means denied these things when they hear the promise made in Holy Communion and trust it to be theirs also. If you are worried for your health or made anxious by the thought of receiving Holy Communion, we invite you to participate only through your prayers, assured that God withholds nothing from you and that you are no less a member of Christ's body and participant in worship.
During 'normal' (nonpandemic) times, at the appropriate time in the worship service, the ushers will direct worshipers (one row at a time) to walk up to the front of the church where you can either stand or kneel to receive the bread and wine of communion. You will be offered two options. You will receive the bread first from a pastor or communion deacon. You may hold onto the bread and then dip it into the cup of wine that will follow the bread and eat the bread dipped in wine all at once (this is called "intinction"). Or you may receive the bread first, eat it immediately, bypass the intinction cup, and instead drink the wine directly from the larger wine cup carried by a third person.
Young children who do not receive communion may come up with their parents or guardians and receive a spoken blessing from the pastor.
If you do not wish to receive communion, you may simply remain in your seat as others in your row go up for communion.
A Note on Celebrating Holy Communion in a Time of Pandemic
The celebration of Holy Communion is a proclamation of God's grace, not a constraint upon it. God gives us nothing in Holy Communion which is not also received through God's Word, which we proclaim through our preaching, reading of scripture, singing of hymns, and praying. In all these ways, we receive the fullness of God's grace and mercy when we hear Jesus as he says, "This is my body, given for you" and "This is my body, shed for you," trusting that his promise is true. Those who chose to partake in Holy Communion do indeed receive the true body and blood of Christ as a sign and seal of their union with him and assurance that God's grace and mercy are theirs, but those who do not partake—especially for the sake of their health—are by no means denied these things when they hear the promise made in Holy Communion and trust it to be theirs also. If you are worried for your health or made anxious by the thought of receiving Holy Communion, we invite you to participate only through your prayers, assured that God withholds nothing from you and that you are no less a member of Christ's body and participant in worship.
During 'normal' (nonpandemic) times, at the appropriate time in the worship service, the ushers will direct worshipers (one row at a time) to walk up to the front of the church where you can either stand or kneel to receive the bread and wine of communion. You will be offered two options. You will receive the bread first from a pastor or communion deacon. You may hold onto the bread and then dip it into the cup of wine that will follow the bread and eat the bread dipped in wine all at once (this is called "intinction"). Or you may receive the bread first, eat it immediately, bypass the intinction cup, and instead drink the wine directly from the larger wine cup carried by a third person.
Young children who do not receive communion may come up with their parents or guardians and receive a spoken blessing from the pastor.
If you do not wish to receive communion, you may simply remain in your seat as others in your row go up for communion.
How will I know what to do during the worship service?
Each worshipper is given a worship bulletin by an usher as they enter the worship area. The bulletin provides the outline of the worship service, the Scripture texts for the day, and the page numbers for the liturgy (the various parts of the worship service) and the hymns or songs that we sing at each service. These page numbers refer to the red book available in the seat in front of you.
How long does the worship service usually last?
Sunday morning worship services typically last about an hour and fifteen minutes. On Saturday evening, services typically end after a little less than an hour.
Will I have to introduce myself or stand up to be recognized if I am a visitor at a worship service?
No, we do not ask visitors to stand up during the service and introduce themselves. However, we hope you will feel welcome and perhaps stay for our fellowship time of refreshments and conversation after the Sunday morning services, if you wish. If you wish to make your presence known, please fill out a visitor card (found in the back of the chair in front of you during worship) and put it in the offering plate or give it to an usher. But if you want to stay anonymous and just check us out, that's fine, too!
As a visitor, am I expected to contribute to the offering that is taken at each worship service?
We ask our members to contribute financially as they are able to help support the ministry of our local congregation as well as the mission of the larger church both nationally and worldwide. We offer our financial gifts to God as an act of thanksgiving for all that God has already given us and as a way of participating joyfully in God's mission of love and service to our community and our world.
If you as a visitor wish to contribute to our congregation's ministry, you are most welcome to do so. However, no one is required to make a financial offering.
If you as a visitor wish to contribute to our congregation's ministry, you are most welcome to do so. However, no one is required to make a financial offering.
What happens after the worship service?
Coffee and refreshments are served in the fellowship hall after each Sunday morning worship service. It's a time for meeting people and informal conversation.
During the school year between the 8:15 am and 10:45 am Sunday services, educational programs are offered at 9:30 am. Visitors are welcome. These include an adult forum and programs for pre-K through 8th grade every Sunday, and a music program on the 2nd and 4th Sundays for babies through age 4, accompanied by an adult. Nursery care through age 5 is also offered each Sunday from 8:15 am through the end of the 2nd service (around noon).
During the school year between the 8:15 am and 10:45 am Sunday services, educational programs are offered at 9:30 am. Visitors are welcome. These include an adult forum and programs for pre-K through 8th grade every Sunday, and a music program on the 2nd and 4th Sundays for babies through age 4, accompanied by an adult. Nursery care through age 5 is also offered each Sunday from 8:15 am through the end of the 2nd service (around noon).
Information for Families
Are children welcome to attend the worship services? Is there a nursery available for younger children?
Children are very welcome to attend worship services. We have a special time for young children (usually 2-8 years of age) in worship called the "children's sermon" when the pastor calls the little children up to come together in the front of the church for a brief Bible lesson. We have children's activity bags and special children's bulletins available just outside the doors into the main worship room which children can pick up to occupy them during the worship service, if they wish. We also have a nursery staffed with one or two adults every Sunday morning for younger children (infants through 5 years of age). As you enter the main entrance to the church, turn right through a pair of double doors and the nursery is just down the hall on the left.
What if I or my child need to get up and leave in the middle of the worship service?
If a need arises, feel free to leave quietly and return as you are able. Restrooms are available just off the narthex, or front entrance foyer. Fussy children may be taken out into the lobby, the fellowship hall, or the nursery. There is a speaker in the nursery so you will be able to hear the worship service and sermon if you stay with your child in the nursery. Times when the congregation is singing a hymn are often good times to make a quiet exit, but you can do so at any point in the worship service.
Is there a religious education program, children's choir, or a summer Vacation Bible School program available for my children in addition to attending worship services?
Yes! Our congregation has a strong and dedicated programs for children from babies and toddlers to 12th grade and an adult education program as well. We also have pre-communion instruction, a two-year confirmation program, and opportunities for children and youth to sing in worship. We offer Vacation Bible School every summer. Learn more here.
Practical Information
Where is the church located?
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The address for the church is 2220 Pennington Road in Ewing, NJ. It's about a half mile south of the intersection of Interstate 295 and Highway 31 which links Pennington and Ewing. You will see the two rows of solar panels on the north side of the church property that provide electricity to our church building and to the community.
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What should I wear when I attend worship services or other events at the church?
The church has no dress code. You will see a variety of clothing among worshipers that ranges from somewhat formal (dresses and skirts for women, suits and ties for men) to much more casual styles of clothing. The Saturday evening service at 5:30 p.m. tends to be quite informal. We believe God accepts us as we are, both inside and out.
Where do I park? How do I enter the building?
Our large parking lot includes designated spaces for visitors near the front of the parking lot. The entrance to the church is on the parking lot side of the building and is clearly marked.
Is the building handicapped accessible?
Yes. There are no steps as you enter the church building, and most of the building is on one level. There are a few classrooms in the basement that are easily accessible by an elevator.
Do you offer non-alcoholic and/or gluten free options for communion?
Yes. Gluten free wafers are available at all services and we offer the practice of intinction (dipping the communion wafer in wine) as well as the common cup. Non-alcoholic options are also available on the first Sunday of every month. If you have any questions please speak to an usher before the service.
How can I get more information about the church and its programs?
We invite you to read through our website for more information about specific programs, opportunities, small groups, and projects. Feel free to contact one of the pastors, the church office, or other members of the congregation if you have further questions. You can also request that the monthly newsletter with information and a calendar of events be sent to you. Please come, check us out, and join us for worship!
