Whether you are passing through our city or looking for a church home,   we are delighted to have you worship with our family in faith at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Please join us at either the 9:00am Traditional Service or the 11:00am Contemporary Service! Good Shepherd is located on the corner  of West 7th Street and Taney Avenue in Frederick, Maryland. It’s right off the West 7th Street exit off of US15, within walking distance from Ft. Detrick and Hood College. We have plenty of parking! Come as you are. There is no need to dress a certain way to come to church. Some people feel good is their dressiest clothes, some even wear hats. Other people feel more at ease in jeans and tee shirts. You are free to be yourself at Good Shepherd.

---

FAQ

WHAT IS A LUTHERAN?

Lutherans are Christians who are rooted in the Word of God, who are saved by faith and not by works, who trust in the Grace of God completely, who are saved by Jesus Christ, and to God alone is all glory and honor.

Sola Scriptura, Sola fide, Sola gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo gloria

Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone, To God Alone be the Glory!

Lutherans have a long history that begins in the 16th century with a German monk named Martin Luther. The church has grown and changed throughout the centuries, but remains rooted in the Five Solae and in the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross.

BAPTISM

Some churches baptize only adults in large tubs of water. Other churches baptize infants. Lutherans believe that Baptism is a work of God and not a work we perform, so we invite adults and children to receive the gifts from God. At Good Shepherd, we tend to Baptize by pouring water from the Baptismal font over the head. If you have been baptized in another church, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then you do not need to be baptized again.

If you would like to be baptized, or have your child baptized, please contact our pastor [email protected]

COMMUNION

Also called The Meal, The Eucharist, or Communion. As Lutherans, we believe that Jesus Christ is present with the Bread and Wine in the Meal. It is a great mystery as to how, but Martin Luther described it as With, In, and Under the Bread and Wine. However we understand this great mystery, we can be confident that God comes to us during this time and offers us Grace.

We invite all Baptized Christians to the table. If you are uncertain about whether or not you can take Communion, please talk to the pastor. Ultimately, it is a decision that you make with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We take Communion a few different ways. At the early, more traditional service (9:00am), each communicant comes forward and kneels at the altar, so long as you are able. The pastor will come with the Bread saying, “This is the body of Christ, given for you.” Another person will come with the cup saying, “This is my blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins, take and drink.” Many people partake from a common cup, as we share a common faith in God. However, if you prefer an individual cup, please take one to the altar and a communion assistant will fill it for you. If you need a cup with grape juice or if you need a gluten free wafer, please ask. They are available.

At the Sing and Rejoice Service (11:00am) Communion is conducted intinction style. The pastor will break the bread and offer the words. All of those communing will form two lines and receive the Host (bread), then the communicant will dip the bread in the chalice with wine. Grape juice and gluten-free wafers are also available at this service.

If you are not baptized or your child has not yet taken First Communion (we usually do it in second grade), or choose not to take communion, come to the altar and place your hands over your chest and receive a blessing. You may also choose to remain seated.

If you have mobility issues, make it known to the pastor and he will come to your seat with the elements of Communion.

Communion is deeply personal, and no one should feel pressured to partake or to refrain. Take a moment to be still with God and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

THE WORD

Listening to the Word of God, the Holy Bible, being read from the pulpit is a great gift. We humans are forgetful creatures and each week we are reminded of the great works of God. Lutherans follow a lectionary, which is a prescribed schedule of Biblical readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles and the Gospel. If you come to church every Sunday, you will have read the Bible every three years. This is a way that God’s word can become a part of us.

CHILDREN

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” The Word of Our Lord Matthew 19:14 NRSV

We believe that children are an integral part of the body of Christ and are welcome in all aspects of our worship. We delight in the sounds of children. For parents who wish to keep their squirmy, wiggly, distracted children in the sanctuary during Sunday Service, please do!  There are activity bags in the Narthex for children to use during service. For families who prefer their young children in nursery while the parents and older children attend service, that option is available as well. We take child-safety very seriously, and our nursery staff are certified CPR and have background checks.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE

• If you need assistance with hearing, we have hearing devices. Please ask the usher.
• For those who need assistance with the text, there are large print bulletins available.
• For parishioners with mobility issues, we offer handicapped accessible pews and our pastor will bring Communion.
• We are a queer-affirming congregation. Come, who you are. We’ve saved a seat at the table for you.
• We are diverse. We welcome you to worship with us, no matter where you come from.

SERVICE

‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?  And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?  And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ The Word of the Lord, Matthew 25:35-40 (NRSV)

At Good Shepherd we are committed to living out our faith through service.

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church is a faith community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Church.

Good Shepherd Facebook Feed Connect and share with the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Family by using our hashtag. #goodshepmd