What to Expect
It’s hard to visit a church for the first time. We want to make it easier for you to visit ours. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. We’d love to connect with you!
Our Services
Each Sunday, we gather to hear God’s Word, confess our sins, receive forgiveness, hear the Scriptures read and explained, pray, sing, feast on Christ in Holy Communion, and be sent out by God to serve in our various callings.
Our worship is liturgical. We use a pattern of worship that is rooted in the practice of the early church and common to the entire western church. Our services and hymns are drawn from our hymnal, the Lutheran Service Book.
Holy Communion
At the summit of every Sunday service, Jesus gives us His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins.
At Zion, we believe that communing at the Altar together is a matter of fellowship and pastoral care and should be practiced by Christians who believe and confess the same things.
When you visit, please speak to our pastor before coming to the table.
What about the kids?
Our church values keeping the family together for worship. Because our services don’t vary a lot from week to week, the kids will soon memorize parts of the service and participate even if they can’t read. We also offer a kids’ bulletin that’s designed just for them.
We expect kids to be kids and welcome the noise and squirminess! But we also know that sometimes your or your kids need a break. In our north narthex, you’ll find some chairs and a TV so you can follow along with the service. There’s also kids’ books there, and you’ll find a diaper-changing station in the bathroom.
Directions & Parking
Our church is easy to find! We’re located at 620 E 3rd Ave, Mitchell SD, on the corner of Burr St & 3rd Ave.
After you turn into our parking lot, you’ll see our main church building directly in front of you. Our sanctuary is located on the far east side, so you’ll have to walk around the sidewalk from the parking lot.
The north building is called the Ministry Center and houses our church offices and gathering area. If you‘re coming for an event, it’s probably in the Ministry Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time are your services?
We meet on Sundays at 8:00am and 10:30am. Both services are identical in style, so pick the service that best works with your schedule. Holy communion is offered every week at both services.
Between services, we have a Sunday School program for all ages called Faith Foundations, beginning at 9:15am in the Ministry Center.How long do services typically last?
Our worship services typically last between 60 - 75 minutes. It’s usually closer to an hour unless it’s a special festival in the church year or there are more people receiving communion. (Okay, sometimes the sermon’s a little longer too ☺️). Feel free to stick around and visit afterwards!
I’ve never attended a Lutheran service before. Will I be lost?
If you’ve never been to a liturgical church service before, it might seem a little confusing at first. Don’t worry if you get a little lost in the hymnal the first time. You’ll get the rhythm of it in no time!
If you’d like some help, ask one of the ushers or the people sitting around you. They’ll be happy to show you how the bulletin and hymnal work and answer your questions!
You can also download and follow along with the “Order of Service” on your phone. This has all of the elements of the service in one place, without needing to flip around in the hymnal.
Do you have a nursery?
We don’t have a staffed nursery, but we do have space for parents and kids to go if they need to leave the service for a bit. In the north narthex (to the left of the sanctuary as you exit), you’ll find:
- 💺 Comfortable chairs
- 📺 A TV to watch the service
- 📚 Children’s books
- 🧷 Diaper-changing stations in the bathrooms
This area is NOT staffed during the service, so you’ll need to accompany your kids.
Where do I park?
We have a parking lot to the west of the main church building. To enter the sanctuary, you’ll need to walk around the sidewalk to the sanctuary entrance on the east side of our church. There is also some angled parking in the alley, and plenty of street parking all along our lot.
What should I wear?
Jesus invites you here to receive His mercy and forgiveness - regardless of what you’re wearing. Most people in our church dress in a business casual fashion, though some do dress more formally or casually. It’s a pretty mixed bag. Wear whatever you’re most comfortable in.
Is your church accessible?
We strive to make our church accessible for everyone, regardless of ability.
👩🦼➡️For wheelchairs/walkers:
- There is a ramp and handicap-accessible door on the northeast side of our church.
- There’s several shorter pews along the right side of the sanctuary that have space for wheelchairs or walkers. If you’re planning to take communion, the pastor will come down to the right front pew to commune those who aren’t able to walk up the steps to the altar.
🦻For hearing assistance:
- We have hearing assistance devices available. Ask one of the ushers prior to the service and they will be happy to get you one.
👁️For visual assistance:
- We have large-print hymnals and/or magnifiers available. Ask one of the ushers prior to the service and they will be happy to get you one.
- We make the entire service available on our website in PDF format. You can follow along using a personal device such as a phone or a tablet.
What denomination does your church belong to?
Our church is a member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). You can read more about what we believe on our beliefs page.
Do you livestream your service?
We livestream the 8:00am service each week on our YouTube channel. Our sermons are also recorded for later viewing on our Sermons page.
If you’re able, we’d highly recommend that you join us in person! The livestream can’t replace being a part of the real, in-the-flesh body of Christ. Church looks, sounds, and feels a lot better when you’re here.
Can I talk to a pastor?
Of course! Send us a message and we’ll get in touch in the way that works best for you.
Let Us Know You’re Coming
We’ll be ready to answer your questions and welcome you to worship with us!
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All Rights Reserved.