Visiting a new or different church for the first time may seem intimidating, so here is information we’ve gathered to answer your questions in hopes to make you feel more comfortable.

Where do I go?
We are located in downtown Newton on the corner of 3^rd St N and 3^rd Ave E, There is parking on the street right next to the church and an east side parking lot is also available.  The sanctuary can be entered from the west through the carport, the south through the main double door entrance or on the southeast corner.  We have an elevator in the main double door entrance that can take you down to the basement, up to the sanctuary on first floor or up to the second floor balcony.

How should I dress?
The days when everyone dresses up to go to church are long gone.  God doesn’t care how you dress when you worship and neither do we.  While some may choose ‘to dress it up a bit’ as a way to show respect for God, others think that being comfortable puts them in the right frame of mind to worship.  Both opinions are welcomed and correct!

What do I do once I get there?
Come, worship, pray, share in the Lord’s Supper (Communion) and sing!

What are you going to do to me?
We will warmly welcome you, but we will not make you stand up or announce your name or embarrass you in any way.  A friendship pad is located in each pew and  we ask that you would please fill it out during the offering time.  This will allow the folks in the same pew to greet you after the service.  If you wish to be contacted by the Pastor you can indicate that on the friendship pad as well.

There is a part of the service called ‘Sharing the Peace;.  At this time many will move about the church to shake hands and say ‘ The peace of the Lord be with you’ or ‘God’s peace’.   Others choose to remain in place, and both options are fine with us. 

The ushers will pass the plate during the offering, however we do not require visitors to make an offering.

What about my kids?
First Lutheran welcomes children at all of our services, in fact, we have occasional children’s sermons during the service so the Pastor can directly talk with the kids that are present.  We do have a nursery located in the northeast corner of the basement for those little ones who would do better in an area where they could move around. 

Can I take communion?
If you are a baptized Christian, you are welcome to participate in this most-important part of the service.  This includes children if parents desire them to commune.  Both wine and grape juice are served, according to your needs.  Pastor will supply further instructions during the services on how communion is distributed.