Welcome:  All people are welcome at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal-Lutheran, Inc.

What should I expect?   

a.     Parking: There is ample parking on the upper and lower level. If you park on the lower level you will enter the church from the lower lot and go down a hallway and will find a stairway leading up to the main level.  There are several handicap parking spaces on the upper level. There is a bathroom next to the bottom of the stairway.  If you park on the upper level there are no steps to climb. You will enter the main door.  Once you enter the main door there will be two bathrooms to your left and a nursery.

b.     Greeting: You will be greeted when you enter by a greeter or an usher.  You will be requested to sign a log and provide a mailing address or an email address.  If you desire you will be assisted in locating a seat.

c.     What should I wear? Wear whatever you are comfortable wearing.  There may be people wearing tee shirts and sandals and people wearing coats and ties. 

d.     What about children? Children are welcomed in the service.  There is a nursery with a changing table, toys and sink provided if you need it. At this time there is not a nursery attendant.

e.     What about communion? All baptized believers are welcome to receive the consecrated bread and wine in the service of Holy Communion.  Communion takes place every Sunday when clergy is available.  The ushers will direct you when it is time for you to receive the bread and wine. If you would rather only receive the communion bread, you may do so. If you elect not to commune, please step aside so that others in your row may go forward.  If you have difficulty walking then inform the ushers that you would like to commune at your seat and the clergy will bring communion to you after everyone else has received.  When you go up to commune, there will be a chalice for intinction (in which you dip your wafer) and a chalice for drinking the wine and you may choose either one. If you are allergic to wheat tell the usher or clergy and a non-gluten wafer will be provided to you. 

f.      Where should I sit? There are no pews in Church of the Good Shepherd. You may sit wherever you wish. We have cushioned chairs rather than pews. 

g.     How long does the service last? Generally, the service lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

h.     Will I have to speak? No.

i.      Will I be singled out? The usher will ask you before the service if you wish to be introduced to the congregation. You do not have to be introduced.

j.      What are your services like?  We are an Episcopal/Lutheran Church. (Services are both in-person and Zoom unless stated otherwise on our website.) Our services are liturgical. This means that they follow an outline or order of services found in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Book of Worship.  It means that our services are usually centered around the sacrament of Holy Communion. The congregation is currently without permenant clergy leadership. A combination of Eucharistic Episcopal and Lutheran Services are bing led by a variety of visiting clergy. When clergy is not available, non-Eucharistic services are led by Lay Worship Leaders. You can go to the services section of our website and see which services are Episcopal and which are Lutheran, but all members worship together each Sunday. The entire service is contained in the bulletin.

The service begins with  any announcements that need to be made. After the service begins lay people in the church read the lessons. After the lessons there is a sermon by the presiding clergy or lay leader. An offering plate is located in the Narthex.  The service also includes prayers, singing and non-contact sharing of the peace among members of the congregation.  After the sacrament of Holy Communion, and the singing of the final hymn, the service ends with a blessing and a dismissal.  

k.       What happens after the service? Members of the congregation provide light snacks and drink in the fellowship hall. Visitors have a chance to meet and mingle with members of the congregation if they wish. We hope you will join us! 

l.        What about religious education?  Various educational opportunities are listed in our weekly eNewsletter.

m.       Is there a playground for kids? Yes there is a fenced in playground for kids on the upper level. 

n.        Can I see more of the church? Yes. If you ask one of the ushers or the greeter they will be happy to give you a tour of the church.

o.        How do I join the church? You meet with the clergy or when they are not available with the Senior Warden.

p.        What is your mission?  The mission of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal-Lutheran is to be the Body of Christ, welcoming unconditionally all people to be nourished by meaningful liturgical worship and sharing the love of Christ by serving the needs of people locally and around the world.

q.        What are your core beliefs? The core beliefs of Church of the Good Shepherd are that Christian Churches of two different traditions can successfully worship together with mutual enrichment, and grow in Christian strength and love; that every person is of infinite value to God; that outreach to the greater community and world as well as sensitive care for each member of our church community are imperative to living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ with integrity.

r.        Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal-Lutheran, Inc.is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.