We hope St. Armands Key Lutheran Church (SAKLC) becomes your new church home! But we understand that you need to be sure this is the place for you. Nothing can compare with experiencing our worship first-hand. Nor can anything take the place of taking part in our educational, community service, and music programs. Until then, here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that may help you decide if this congregation meets your faith needs.
Yes, we do! The frailties and foibles of individual members notwithstanding, the pastoral and lay leadership, and our members, welcome all people warmly, respectfully and without judgment. And yes, we truly mean “all.”
We believe that Church is a field hospital, and not a country club. Here, we all seek healing and wholeness. That’s why we don’t judge others; that’s why we welcome all. We believe that each of us seeks a heart-changing relationship with Jesus that comes through life in community with other seekers: that’s what “Church” is.
Love, though sometimes difficult and challenging, is the core of our life together and the glue that binds us to each other and to God. Through worship, the sacraments, service to others, and ongoing learning, we begin to accept this truth: that we are saved through God’s grace and nothing else – certainly not our own efforts – as a free, unearned gift. That is the gift we are called to share with others and would share with you!
Our Sunday worship basically follows the outline of a liturgy that will be familiar to Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and Episcopalians. The hymns and music are a wonderful blend of traditional and contemporary. Accompaniment comes from both organ and piano, augmented from time to time with other instruments.
On Saturday evening the worship service is shorter, at around forty minutes, and the music and liturgy simpler and more contemporary. The accompaniment on Saturday is most often a combination of piano, guitar and drums. Holy Communion is celebrated at every worship service and is open to all the baptized regardless of denominational background or tradition.
No, you do not have to be Lutheran to worship at SAKLC. In fact, several of the most active folks here are not Lutheran, and many of our members are not life-long Lutherans. Several core beliefs unite Lutherans the world over:
- That we are made right with God not through our own efforts – “We are just beggars” Martin Luther wrote – but as a free gift of grace from God, through faith.
- That faith consists in trusting the promises of God made in Jesus Christ; and that Christians are called to live a life consistent with these promises of love, mercy, justice, and compassion.
- That in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism the sin of the ‘old Adam’ is washed from us; that sin is drowned; that new birth is the result; and that we become children of God. And that in Holy Communion we encounter the Risen Jesus through the bread and wine that are truly his body and blood; that our sins are forgiven; and that we receive food for our journey of faith – Jesus dwelling in us and we in him.
SAKLC is blessed with several retired pastors who join with Pastor Ken to provide year-round opportunities to learn and grow in the faith. Lively discussion and varied subject matters combine to deepen our faith. And we join with other congregations in our synod to share in educational opportunities.
Each offering is a combination of in-person and on-line participation; simply choose what works best for you. Recent classes have included: The Grace of Les Misérables; The Banality of Grace; The Literature of the New Testament; and God’s Covenants.
This was in addition to a weekly Bible Study that looks at the scripture coming up in that Sunday’s worship service.
Yes, we do! The Community Service Ministry (CSM) is the largest and one of the most active teams at SAKLC. Money is raised and shared with local organization and ministries; and targeted appeals bring in gifts at Christmas; food and hygiene supplies; winter coats, etc.
Our SAKLC Foundation also distributes grants to local, national, and international organizations and ministries, including funding a translation of a portion of the New Testament into Subula, a language spoken in West Africa. In 2021 CSM grants totaled $23,000, and Foundations grants $75,000. And that is in addition to congregational gifts to ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Relief, and other organizations.
You most certainly can! Our worship services, education classes, and congregational meetings are all either live-streamed or accessible via Zoom.
For example, participants in the weekly Bible study join us from Colorado, Martha’s Vineyard, and Minnesota! And much of what we stream is archived online and available for you to watch at your leisure. Our audio-visual technician is available to help keep you connected, wherever you are.
A formal meeting of the congregation is the highest legislative authority in the life of SAKLC. Between annual and special meetings of the congregation, the Congregation Council, elected by the Congregation, oversees the ministry of the church.
Other than the Pastor, all the leaders of the congregation are lay folks just like you . The Pastor, Congregation President, officers, and members of the Council are all easily accessible, and they actively invite folks to connect with them. And of course, the committees and ministry teams of the church would absolutely love to have you join them in their ministry and share your thoughts and insights with them. Your voice is not only welcome, it is essential to our life together!
Absolutely! SAKLC is deliberately staffed in a way that allows the pastor to make home and hospital visits, and to provide pastoral care in-person or – if you are out of town – via telephone or Zoom.
