What to Expect

We know that people have many questions and even concerns when attending a new church. Below, we have tried to give you a little bit of information about what you can expect on a Sunday morning at St. Peter. You can always contact Pastor Brian to learn more about St. Peter.

These words from Colossians 3:15-17 guide our worship gatherings:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

What's a service like?

Our services (for the most part) follow a traditional form of worship. In our services, we have time for singing, we confess our sins and hear forgiveness spoken, confess our common Christian faith, hear God's Word, and spend time in prayer. We have majority of spoken responses when it comes to our "liturgy".  On the 3rd Sunday of the month, we do a blended worship service where we sing hymns and modern worship songs.

We also incorporate videos throughout the service to encourage us to be greater followers of Jesus. 

What's the music like?

We are very blessed with the music ministry at St. Peter. The congregational songs during a Sunday morning service are a combination of traditional hymns played on the organ or piano and contemporary worship songs accompanied by recorded selections. We do have many music groups that participate in our worship services. We have a vocal choir, an instrumental group and other smaller vocal groups.

How people dress?

We encourage people to come to church as they are. There is no "dress code" for our congregation. You will find people in suits and you will find people in jeans. Our motto is "We don't care what you are wearing, just come." God doesn't look at the outside; He looks at our hearts. We encourage you to come as you are and dress however you are comfortable.

What about my kids?

“Let the little children come to me,” Jesus said! 

What you will find is many generations gathered around the Risen Jesus, TOGETHER. Families gather, grow, encourage and share together! 

But what about young children in the Worship Service?

For Parents at our church:

Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress it here. All are welcome!

Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what’s going on.

Please feel free to explain to your children the parts of the service and actions of the pastor, music team, etc.

Sing the songs and pray with the congregation and participate in the service! Children are made into disciples by you!

If you have to step out of the service with your child, feel free to do so, but only do so if YOU think it is necessary and please come back. Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me!” The sounds little children make (ALL KINDS!!) are the sounds of LIFE and FAMILY and the growing of God’s Kingdom to His glory! These sounds are not distractions, they are reflections of God’s blessing!!!!

We do have a “cry” room, but we often joke: This is for grown-ups who don’t like the sound of children! In all seriousness, we do recognize that families need to slip out from time to time, so feel free to use this room as needed. But come back anytime you are ready!  The mother's room contains a crib and toys and has a closed circuit TV so that you can watch the service while you are in the room.

We have a changing station in the family bathroom.

For Grown-Ups at our church, we remind them:

The presence of children is a gift to the church!

Welcome our children and give a smile of encouragement to their parents!

When children look at you they see the Body of Christ on the earth, make sure they SEE His love, mercy and grace reflected in you!

How can I get connected?

If you would like to be a part of our family here at St. Peter, we encourage you to contact Pastor Brian by phone at (402) 710-6679 or by email pastorbfrancik@gmail.com.  He will be glad to tell you more about our ministry here at St. Peter and how you can get connected. We offer various Bible studies, music groups, small fellowship groups that we would love for you to be involved in.

Where do I park?

We do have parking spaces located around our building as well as the grass lot to the north of our building. Many people park to the south of our building on 5th street. We also have many handicapped parking spots for those who are handicapped.

Can I take communion?

If you are a member at a church that is part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, you are welcome to join us for communion. If you are not part of an LCMS congregation, we invite you to read our Communion Statement below. If this is your belief and confession about communion, you are welcome to join us. If you have further questions, we invite you to contact Pastor Brian before church or before your visit.

Communion Statement

Scripture tells us that before we take the Lord’s Supper we should examine ourselves (1 Cor. 11:27-28). Scripture makes clear that we can take communion to our judgment (1 Cor. 11:29). Because of this, we believe that as long as people keep on practicing their sinful lives, with no expression of repentance, they should not partake of the Lord’s Supper. Scripture makes clear that in communion a public testimony is being given that the communicant believes the teachings of the body of believers one communes with (in this case the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) to be faithful to the Word of God. We are publicly proclaiming a oneness with each other in what we believe and teach. (1 Cor. 1:10, 1 Cor. 10:17 & Romans 16:17)

We practice “close(d) communion” wherein we believe that only those persons who are “one” with us in doctrine and practice should attend Holy Communion here, because communion proclaims a unity of faith. This does not imply that those of other Christian denominations are not Christian. It does mean that we believe God wants us to be in agreement with all of His Word (true unity is founded in the Word of God) before we proclaim that we are one. Please speak with our pastor if you have any questions.

We ask all those communing to confess:

✢ I am a sinner and I sincerely repent of all my sins.

✢ I will with the help of God amend my sinful life and will forgive and love others as He has loved me.

✢ God, for Jesus’ sake, forgives me all my sins.

✢ I receive Jesus’ body and blood together with the bread and wine.  

✢ For further examination, we invite you to read through pages 329-330 in the hymnal.

Young Christians

 Young Christians who have not yet been confirmed are welcome to come forward for a blessing during communion, but please keep your hands folded as a signal to Pastor that you are not ready to receive communion.